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IJVTMMCEFTJEO JLETTEMS, 



CAPTURED BY THE 



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AT TACUBAYA, AUGUST 22, 1847. 



OCTOBER, 184?) 



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""introduction 



Major General Scott entered the viUage of hibit to the world its great excellence o( per- 
Tacubaya and established bis headquarters .9o?ie/, in officers and men, in all the different regi- 
(here on the 21st of August, 1847. Tacubaya merits and corps. Then, too, will be made 
i^one mile from Chapultepec, (a fortified hii!,) manifest the extraordinary ability of the com- 
which is itself about a mile and a half from one mander of this army, in all respects worthy of it, 
of the gates of the city of Mexico. On the morn- as he has given the most abundant proofs,by the 
ing of the 22d of August, a Mexican mail was directness and greatness of his objects, and the 
ii)tercepied by the American guards, containing certainty and comparative ease with which he 
two -parcels of letters, one addressed to Toluca, has accomplished them. Such splendid results 
the capital of the State of Mexico, and the other could only be achieved by a commander gifted 
to Horelia. These letters are now in the posses- with the highest powers of combination, capable 
sion of the Inspector General of^the army — trans- of the clearest views, ?nd endowed with the 
lations of them, carefully prepared by a capable most unwavering firmness and steadiness of 
hafid, are here offered to the public for reasons purpose. 

which will be manifest to the considerate reader. Excepting some very few of the letters, they 
To make them intelligible, some few facts were written on the 21st of August, and refer 
must be stated, which occurred before the letters principally to the events of the few preceding 
were written, and a fe\V also which transpired days, especially to those of the 20th of August, 
after the capture of the letters ; but we wish it The letters were written by Mexicans to Mexi- 
understood that it is not our purpose to give a cans—they exhibit the unrestrained outpourings 
history of the operations of the American army of friends to friends, when all motives for con- 
before and at the Mexican capital: we speak cealment and misrepresentation seem to have 
only of Avhatthe army has done as an army, been entii'ely out of the question. These letters, 
No attempt is made to do justice to individuals, therefore, furnish valuable testimony on the 
and we select this course for two reasons— -we points within the knowledge of the writers, 
^ish only to make the letters intelligible, and though they contain some unintentional errors 
with our information and means,we cannot hope when statements are made respecting facts not 
to," award what is due to all. We therefore personally known. Thus, when these letters 
onait names, and deal only with events. Im- state, as they do, that the aggregate strength of 
partial history will in due time do justice to all. the army concentrated by Gen. Santa Anna for 
The distinguished judgment, ability and zeal of the defence of Mexico exceeded thirty thousand 
Qur engineer officers of both corps, will then men. there is every reason for relying upon this 
standout in broad relief, and the providence statement ; and thus, in the same manner, we 
apd skill of our ordnance officers will also be have unquestionable evidence that not fewer 
conspicuous, and justly so, as they are not con- than twenty-six thousand men were engaged in 
tent, with service under cover in the arsenals, battle on the Mexican side on the 20th of Au- 
preparing guns and ammunition, but they follow gust. But the evidence is not equally good when 
to the field their heavy ordnance, and under thy letters refer to the strength of the American 
the fire of the enemy give practical proof of its army; for the flict could not be equally well 
excellence and power. In like manner justice known. Thus, it is^ not true, though stated in ' 
will be done to the judicious arrangements and some of these letters, that the American army 
abundant supplies of the quartermasters' and was twelve thousand strong ; but it happens to 
commissaries' departments, without which the be true, as stated in others', that the American 
army could neither move nor remain in position, force was about ten thousand— though not all of 
Justice will also be done to the talents, skill and this force was at any one time engaged in bat- 
humanity of our admirable corps of medical offi-^ tie. Valencia's entrenched camp at Contreras ' 
cer^. So also, qi just' view" oi" the army will etp' was taken in seventeen minutes, by the watch, 



by about fifteen hundred men, without artillery A few words on the subject of the armistice 
and without cavalry— he having five thousand may not be amiss. It is very generally believed 
men, with twenty-three pieces of fine artillery, that before the army left Puebia, mtercourse of 
covered with about two thousand caralrv. The some kind, looking towards a peajce, had been 
fruits of this brilliant surprise, in the immediate partially established between the Americans and 
vicinity of Contreras, in prisoners, (fee, were se- Mexicans, but it was said that the Mexican au- 
cured by other troops, besides the assaulting col- thorities were restrained by public opinion, 
umns, posted for the purpose ; but the actual de- vviiich was unable to conceive it possible that th« 
feat and almost annihilation of Valencia's division, immense preparatioiis in Mexico could fail in se- 
so often re^rred to in ihe following letters, was curing the city; but as the object of General 
accomplished, as stated, in seventeen minutes, Scott, in the whole of his operations in this coun- 
mstead of two hours, as stated in several of the try, has been to bring about an honorable peace, 

letters. , viji-r^r ^?'- -7 ^^1 t:^," -r ^^^ S^^^ '^■^^' *" advance, bef^)re he left Puebia, 

These letters afso furnish ampfe^ev^dence'tTtat precisely what lie would do before he Would, by 
iTie Mexican army was most aburidantly sup- force of arms, enter the capital, 
plied with munitions of war of|all kii"if!s,espec!ally The Mexican army being so latge, and its ap- 
with amunition in all its forms of preparation ; pointmeuta so complete, while the fortifications,' 
rnost of which is no^\Mn the hands of, the Ameri- which astonish all who see them, were con- 
cans. . . . ,, ,. strucitri with scientific skill— all these facts 
One of the chief points of value in the evi- made it necessary for Gen. Scott to move from 
dence furnished byther.e letters, has been 3uper- Puebia and strike a severe blovf hear the capital 
ceded by the eveiits of thei2th, ISih and l4th as the only nieans of convincing the Mexicans 
of September: we refer to the fact that the that, notwithstanding all their preparations, th,ey 
American army, by the victorids of the 20th of could nbi resist the American army, small as' it 
Aui^ust, had entirely defeated the Mexican army, wa^. There was some hope that by thus open- 
and could have entered the capital, had it beers ing the eyes of the Mexican , people in the. capi- 
the pleasure of the general, on the evening nf tal, iiegoiiatious tuight be entere'd upon, and' a 
that day ; a fact which no one can now dispute, peace secured ; to accomplish which important 
since the Mexicans were unable to prevenr the object Gen. Scott was willing to forego all the 
occupation of the capital by the Americans, af- eclat of a forcible entrance into the capital. We 
ter having had from the 20th of August to the know that all this was distitictly within the con- 
12th of September to recuperate and recover templation of Gen. Scott before he put foot in 
from the blow inflicted on the nrst of these dates the stirrup to leave the city of Puebia. His 
— over tv/enty days— during which time the foresight and deliberate plan, in this Irfespect, is 
fragments of the Mexicati army were brought one of the most remarkable incidents, all things 
to;;ether and reorganized into a force of about considered, ihat'has ever occurred in the history 
twenty thousand men, having been reduced to of wars. Let his position b^ considered— His 
about eight thousand, as the letters testify. The distance from home— the extent of his march to 
fortifications had also been immensely increased Puebia-— the distance yet to be 6vercome — the 
between the 20ih of August and 12th of Sep- smailness of his force — th6 chai^aeter of the city 
tember on the side of the city threatened by the to be assailed, the great capital of a great coun- 
Americans; and the same time enabled 'the try, defended by an arniy full three times hia 
Mexicans to withdraw all their artillery from numbers, .and known to be so— tiisit capital sur- 
ihe Penon and other points, not in danger, and rounded by lakes or swamps, and only to be ap- 
dispose it on the, southern sind south-western proached by narrow causeways, with deep ditch- 
Ride of the city, where they knew the attack was es on eitlier side, aiid swept by artillery in from 
to be made. All this did not avail. The Ame- and in flank. In view of all this, Gen. Scott said, 
ricau army eflftjcted a lodgment in the city at two before he left Puebia, m so many words, that he 
points on the evening of the J3th of September ; would rharch to the neiojhborhood of the capital 
*ind on the I4th, entered the urand plaza, the and either d^Jcat the Mexican army in the open 
head(|uartcr8 of the army being established \n field if they woulil give Mnt battle : or he toould 
the National Palace, over which waved the star- take a strong position from the enemy, ^luA then,' 
>pangled banner- wh«t remained of the Mexican if he could restrain the erithusiasm of his army, 
army on the evening of the 13th, having been he would pause Without the city, and summon 
withdrawn during tin; night. At that time the it to surrender, \h order to give the authoriti s 
rfleclive American force was les« than eight within the city an opportunity and a motive 
thousand men, (the safetj)- of th(^ capital) fbV' making a peace. 



He did precisely what he designed. He march- troops were engaged during an - hour or tiro in 
ed frc^m Puebia in four columns, with the inter- picking up the scattered fragments of the p'roud 
va'f^f a days march between each two columns, "division of the North" — Valencia himself dis- 
and* aHriVed himself, being with the leading col- appearing altogether. Several names are applied 
wrnn,^t Aydtla, before the Pefion, on the i 1th of to this entrenched camp, (San Geroiiimo, Pa^ 
August. * diernas,Magda]ena,&c.,) but it is generally called 

While the rear was coming up, lie reconnoit- Contreras, and it is about five or s'rk miles from 
ered (he Penon and country around, and satisfied San Au^ustin, to the left of the San Antonio 
himself of the practicability of a march by the road. Passing by Contreras our-' troops, before 
v^dy 6f Chalco to San Augustin. As the rear mid-day, were in full march %^S^n Angel aind 
columns came up they were directed towards Goyoacan towards ClioFubusco, where the 
Chalco, and taking up that route himself, the Mexicans were in f^ivce in a church or convent 
General' went to Sart Augustin, 15 di* 17 miles—strongly fortified. A^ut live or six hundred 
the ro'adv as the letters will show, being deemed yards beyond this corlvenft the road bySari ALti- 
irtipracticable by the Mexicans — arriving there gel, &c., comes into that of San Antonio at t 
on the IT^th of August, being then 12 miles from' point where, by a bridge, the San Antonio road or 
the capital,^rid in front of the fortifications of causeway crosses a small stream, or canal, called 
San Antonio, wdiich are about two and a half or the Churubusco river. This bridge was defend- 
three miles from San Augustin. These fortifi- ed by a perfectly constructed- scientific tete de 
cations were threatened by a division, while the pont, the defences here and al the* convent fornn- 
General, on the 19th, ordered a force to open a ing a system mutually siapporting each other, 
road in order to turn them to the left. This No time v/as to be lost; and at a few minutes 
forc^ had to pass what, in the letters, is called a before 1 P. M. bur troops were pushed forward 
Pe^^rekajt^ i, c., a surface of volcanic scoria, bro- to the attack of the foriified convent, ^vhere the 
ken intci every possible form, presenting sharp firing became very severe with both artillery 
vStbnes and'deep fissures, exceedingly difficult for and small arms. There had been some fifing at 
thopassage of infantry, and impossible for that San Aotoni(^ on the 18th and again on the 19th ; 
of cavalry, except by a single road, in front of but on the 20th, after the defeat of the entoy at 
wiiichj and perfectly commanding it, General Contreras, Gen. Santa Anna saw that our troops, 
Valeil^ia had, established an entrenched camp on by the way of San Angel, would soon be in the 
elevated ground, which camp he occupied with rear of his fortified position at San Antonio, and 
his' division of 5000 men from San Luis Potosi, he therefore ordered that place to be abandoned, 
eve f-y where in the letters spoken of as the directing some few of the gunS, which there was 
''floWer" of the Mexican army. He had twenty- no time to remove, to be spiked; but the AmeTi- 
three pieces of superb artiller}^, and was Covered can division in front, by passing a column to 
by a large boriy of cavalry. There was firirig the left, had already turned the position and suc- 
txom and upon this entrenched camp during the ceeded in cutting the hne of the retreating 
afternoon of the 19th of August, but no serious troops, which were also attacked along the eausfe- 
denionstration was made upon it that day, the way itself by another portion of the division, 
tithe being employed by the engineers in looking and thus the Mexican force at San Antonio was 
at the position and studying the gr«>!inds around broken and in great part dispersed or t^ken 
It ; so that the Mexicans both in the camp and prisoners, only a few re-dcMmg the tiie de pont 
in , the city imagined they had gained a victory. — the American division now passing down to 
merely because our army had not yet defeated the attack of that place, while the attack upon 
them. The bells in the city were rung for joy, the convent of Churubusco wds going on. At 
and Gen. Valencia distributed honors among the about half past 1 V, M. the Mexicans were in 
leading officers of his camp as the shades of eve- force at the church or convent; and at the tete 
ning left him in security within his lines. de pont, and had, besides, an immense body of in- 

Ouring the night of the 19th, a body df our fantry to their iefi (our right/ along and behind 
troops passed along a ravine under cover of a the Churubusco river^ nearly at right angles to 
night made doubly dark by a heavy rain, and in the. San Antonio causeway: they had also another 
theiAorning they had gained the rear of the en- body of infantry and an immense body of caval- 
trenched camp, into which they plunged head- ry extending along the causeway itself from the 
long before the astonished Mexicans had time to tete de po?it towards the city. " The American 
put themselves in position for defence. The general being on the San Anfifel road, in front of 
assault was commenced and completed in the Churubusco, directed the whole of the opera- 
short period of seventeen minutes, though our tions, which s^on after 1 P. M. became general. 



6 

ejte^ing ihiQUghoot {\\e entire Mexican army, to be p respited by jjitl, i^mericai>rponimissioru;r 
fie directed columns to support the main attack then at the headquarters of the American^ 
in front, and other columns to the right to sup- Army. This comniunicatiot^ beiqg sent, the,, 
port the San Antonio division in the attack upon general, with one division of his nf,my,.continned 
the tete de pout and the extensive line of in- on to Tacubaya, gbf)ut six miles from QoyoaQa^i,. 
(antry along the Churubusco river; other columns and entered that village as stated at the-com- 
again, to the left, in order to turn both the con- mencement of this preface. ,; ^,r 

vent and the tete de pont in which operation The proposal of the American general wag 
the enemy's force along the causcAvay beyond agreed to by General Santa Anna, and on the 
thp tete de j^ont was engaged. The battle now 24th of August,, the ratifications of an arnvistice. 
raged at all points and in all directions, wherever were duly exchanged. , .^ , ^ , . 

the enemy was found in position, and continued Commissionej:sn>et to treat of peace, and this 
without intercession during a period of nearly is an important point in the history of the events 
three hours, when the convent and tete cZe before the Mexican capital. The army, one is 
pont were both carried, and the enemy was disposed to think, had acconiplished itsmission. 
driven from the river and the causeway, and It had brought commissioners together t) treat 
compelled to fly in consternation towards the of peace after the governments of both countries 
city, entering it by the gate of San Antonio in had declared that a peace was desired that 
confusion and dismay, followed by a considerable should be honorable .to both nations. But peace 
body of our troops at least a mile and a half was not made. 

beyond the tete de pont while a body of cav- It is proper to say that the General-in-Chief 
airy pushed the pursuit into the very gate had no power confided to him by his government 
itself, about a. mile and a half still further, not authorising him to act as a commissioner in con- 
hearing or heeding, the recall which had been eluding a treaty of peace— he was sent to this 
sounded from the rear. This cavalry charge is country as a military man exclusively. He, 
frequently referred to in the following letters and therefore, is jn no manner responsible for tho 
no doubt amazed the Mexicans to an extraordi- failure of the negotiations, which nevertheless 
nary dogree, both by its boldness and by the he has all the merit of having brought about, 
little loss attending its successful retirement to after the events of the 20ih of August, 
the main army, which had halted near a place It is equally proper to say, in justice to the ta- 
called in the Uiiers Portalis. The American lented and experienced gentleman selected by the 
force, at about 4 P. M., was in the entire posses- government of the U. S. and sent to, the head- 
sion of all the out^r defences of the city, on the quarters of Major Gen. Scott as the commissioner 
San Antonio causeway, and could have entered to treat for peace, was trammelled by the in- 
the city that evening without serious difficulty, structions of the. government, in so much, thatit 
But tht general had accomplished exactly what will remain a. problem as to whether more en- 
he ha^ designed before he left Puebla. He larged powers would not have .enabled him t/> 
therefore halted the- troops and after giving ne- have made a treaty ''honorable to both nation^." 
cessary instructions returned by the San Antonio The ultimatum of our Commissioner was 
road to San Augustin, arriving there about handed to the Mexican Commissioners early in. 
dusk in the evening, having been the whole day September, about the 2d of the month, and very 
iii the saddle, directing the important operations soon afterwards, reports began to reach the general 
vbriefly recited above. and accumulated very rapidly, that the Mexicans 

-' .In the evening he was visited by some Eng- were engaged, in vi<)latif)n of .the articles of the 
lishmen from the city, for what purpose is not armistice, in fo^'tifying the city, especially at 
.precisely known— but the next morning the night, On the 6lh, the Mexican commissioners, 
general, starting on the San Antonio road, turned it was expected, would give their answer, to the 
-lo the left and was met at Coyoacan, near Chu- propositions of our commissioners, and; they did 
trabusco, bv' a deputation from the Mexican ?Q, refusing to accept them. Simultaneously 
.government, under a flag, propo.sing some terms with this, the genera) sent a paper to Gen. ^apta 
.which, whatever, they werev were instantly re- Anna declaring that, as the articlt^s of thp a^r- 
-jected : and the general sent by. the! deputation mistice had been violated by the Me^xicai] au,t,hq^ 
'«! paper he had.himself prepared, offering to ities, ho felt at liberty tQ ;.erminate the ^armistice 
rgr-ant an armisticj3 on certain conditions, the at his pleasure, l^u-t would allow uivtij the next 
firstbeing that the M'exican Government should day at noon for expl^mations. Up to.J.2 o'clqck 
appoint Commissioners to receive and consider of the 7th of Septrmber, the ge,nera) hajd^nf^t 
.the proposiuons of the American Governnrient only made no recfmTjois^sance, but had ordereff)^. 



1" 

engineers tOittibke none, in strict contiplianee with At the end of three or four days the fortificatlGn* 
thft armistice. in that direction seemed very compJet^^* aiidt lifted • 

Soon after 12 M. on the 7th September, the with artillery and men. : -- 'iv. •^■■ 

general rode to the heights of Tacubaya over against It was evident that the eneny looked upon that as 
Chapultepec, where a building was pointed out to the contemplated place of attack, and for this very 
bim a few hundred yards from the base of the C ha- reason, perhaps, the general made his arrangements^ 
pultepec hill, which was said to be a foundry in full to attack, notthGre on the right, but at Chapultepec 
operation, casting cannon from bells removed on his left, but still he kept upa show of attack frorn 
from the churches in the city. As he rode away the Piedad. On the morning of the 12th of Sept. 
from the place of observation he remarked that he the firing commenced from three or four batteries 
-would, the next morning, destroy the foundry, so as upon Chapultepec, but no show of force was made, 
to prevent the enemy from making any more cannon, and the enemy thought it a feint, keeping his prin- 
and would then at his leisure lay down his plan for cipal force in the direction of the Piedad. The firing 
a final attack upon the city. continued all day on both sides with very little 

The battle of the 8ih of September, called the effect. • 

battle of the Molino del Rey, was the result of this It was resumed the next morning, and continueid 
determiaation, this being the name of the building about two hours, when it ceased by order of the ge'n- 
poihted out as the foundry. The enemy, anticipa- era!, the cessation being the signal or time determined 
ting an attack in that direction, had moved out, on for the advance of two assaulting partiesof 250 men 
the 7th, a very large force, said by some pris- each, supported by strong columns, the artillery resu- 
oners taken on the 8th to be 8000 men, besides a ming its fire as soon as the movement was in full 
thousand within the works at Chapultepec. This operation, and in about an hour the heights were as- 
fprce was covered by buildings and entrenchments cended By our troops and the scaling ladders being 
extending full a mile in length, its left being at the placed against the walls, our intrepid officers and sol- 
MoB|io del Rey, hear some woods at the base of the iers passed over into the main work, driving the enemy 
Chapultepec hill, while its right was within a either out of the work altogether, or into bujldings 
strongly built hacienda, of stone as usual. where they surrendered at discretion. The enemy, 

Early in the morning of the 8th, the attack was during the night of the 12th, had sent additional force 
made by a division of our troops, and the fight was to defend Chapultepec, though evidently at a loss to 
continued rather more than an hour and a half, when know where the real attack was to be made. The 
the enemy was driven from his entire line with the defence, however, was desperate, the fight being main- 
loss, besides killed, of many prisoners and of several tained at a multitude of points in the woods near the 
pieces of field artillery, all he ventured to bring into hill — at batteries and breastworks at the base of the 
that engagement. hill, and from various points and different positions 

As the enemy supposed this attack was intended on theFsides of the hill. This fight was, on the whole, 
to lead the way to Chapultepec, and as Chapultepec one of the most remarkable that has occurred during 
was not assailed the opinion in the city was quite the war. ,\. 

decided that we had sustained a defeat, although we But I design merely an outline. As the milj- 
had in fact most completely accomplished the only tary school was at that place, the superintend- 
object in view\ Our loss in the fight was very great, ent, professors and students became prisoners of 
and although something like the means of casting war, with a large body of other officers and. men 
cannon had been found and destroyed— although we including the celebrated veteran Gen. Bravo.- ^ 
had^.taken many prisoners ^several hundreds) and Chapultepec having fallen, our troops were 4i. 
several pieces of artillery— still, we believe the army j^ected in two columns along two causeways, 
would njuch rather have d.spensed with the glories one leading directly to the city, and the other tb 
of that day, as it^ was accompanied with unusual ^j^^ j^f.^^ to intersect the San Cosme ^auseWaV; 
sorrow and mournmg for many of Its noblest spmts^^ now the fight was rssnmed inch by inch 

i he general then began his preparations for a final ^ u . u * .u ■ c * ^ *u 

attack.. He ordered a'depot if sick and wounded, "P«"/^ach route,^but the mfantry of the eiiemy 
of captured artillery, &c.; including prisoners, to be wasdriven, and his batteries tak^n m rapid sufe. 
established at a smallvillage called Miscoac, to the ^^'''^^ ,^^^^"§ a distance upon each causeway ^of 
right of Tacubaya, throuo-h which he had passed "^"^^^ ^'^^^ ^ mile and a half, and >^t night both 
fn coming from Coyoacanfandin front of this village, columns had made a lodgem^emt Within th.e gates 
at a place called Piedad, he posted a division tp ^f^^® capital. ' i -' 

threaten the city in that direction. Immediately Our force at Piedad was not unoccupied».>[>rt 
there was seen an immense number of laborers busily either of the two days. A field battery opened 
engaged night and day in fortifying the causeways, its fire upon the enemy, and movements were 
by which the city was accessible from the Piedad. made as if to attack in that direction, thus oc«b- 
It was/ivonderfal to see the activity with which they pying ,ttte eneiriy, alre<i^y strongly^ in the belief 
T.i^Mf that the real, at^^p^, was to. bo'^th^^^^^^ 



8 

ChapK.ltep^Cir^ taken, *ndj?ur forces had your welcome letter of the lOfch inst in 
nearly perietPaied the c.t^ the force was with- ^|,ieh, among other things, you are pleas^ 
drawn from Piedad, and sent to the support of i. • . ^^^ o5ju««c picas 
one ef the attacking columns in the city The ^"^ ^^ pomt out to me the reasons why 
deeds of valcm hy our troops on this day, as on jo^ had suspended our correspondence. 
prexMDi's occasions, deserve to be recorded by a The idea you present to me^ that I ought 
Tacitus or a Livy or a Thucydid^s, and there- not to leave this place before having ar- 
fore we do not attempt it. ranged every thing relative to that -, 

The general, after dn^ectm^^ m person the en- -^ ^ ^^^ ^^ but cannot be reahzed at 
tire operc^tions ot the day, givmg the most mi- ^ . ' , y»- *c«uAv:.*a ai, 

nute arid exact instructions for every movement, pi'^sent, owmg to the aitlictmg circum- 
fin% returned after dark to Tacubaya, where stances which overwhelm us, every thing 
he was called upon in the night, towards morn- being in the greatest disorder, and there 
ing, by a deputation from the city council, with being, in fact, no Congress, and govern- 
mform^ponthiU. General Santa Anna hadJeft j^^nt occupying itself only with matters 
the city and had withdrawn the army, and thev'r^u^ a.. j i i * i ^i i 

desired the genera! to give, them apimassu ran- ^^^^^ ^^'^ and, absolutely, no other busi- 
ces or conditions before entering the city. Tnis ness Can be attended to. In truth, thi^ 
he declined doing, tellir.g them in substance, war is going to cease, as '/I sU()pose^ be- 
that he would agree to no conditions until he cause, on the 19th and 20th, at the gates 
should first go into the city, and, then only to of Mexico, our nation has covered itself 
such as should be self-imposed, but that his ^itj^j^^^^^^^^ and dishonor, and our 
course would be such as the diarnitviiand. honor i j i_- r • . .- i -i 

of the United Statesrequired. ^^uv'.oC^,. generals and cjhieO? m particular, with 

Atnino o'clock on the mo^'nifigdrthe i4th of opprobrium. Inhere , is not even l^ft to 
Sept^itiber, the general di.4mourtted within the US the glory to say, with that . French 
court of the National Palace, ^hd ascending the personage well known in history, that 
broad flight of stairs to the shloons above, sat u ^]\ |g |og(. i^^^ ^^^^ honor;" as'our armV 

oC;oupation 01 the Capital 01 MexicQ. ... P ^ \. ' i i- 

i>iij it;'j ar.ii V ;, ^ jL, , ih,i i, j f wliicn IS not necessary to prove VI hen this 

!fi)°;'"l''''^Ai?ANTONio39fh"i:ugust. capital groans with' sorrow and angen 
- loHv, s.^i'ro ' 'I ',{Extract) against those who call themselves its d'e- 

S" 'Yesterday we comrttenced firing upon Anders. , The enemy, as yet, Ims^ not. 
the enemy with our cannon, and killed |0''e't with his tread the palaces of the 
4;w;,:M»en jind horses: To-day, up to ^on'^zumas, but that ,s because > a sus^ 
#;;j|„;: Wehave^fired but few siiots, and Pension of hostilities hafe caused h.iW^lo 
the,0neray are retreatinff, with!the object, *« Pa»se m his triutnphant.pjarch. . fhis 
I suppose, of going to tacubaya by the suspension, which has no other object 
WayofPedregal [Contrerasl. They have ^^an to eollect the wounded and t6 bury 
a long distance to march, and I do not "^e <^ead, as some say, has a so another 
know, what 'will become of them in their P»''POse, and that is, to see t)ie proppsi- 

unfoftunale. situation., Every day is a Vi'"^'?^ P''''''®/''?™/'^'' ^^fT^^P^ 
loss to them and aigain to us. Thestrug- Washington, of which Mr. Nicholas Trist 
gle will be sever« but favorable to iK, as 'f t'^e ^'^^'■®'"- The actual government^ 
ihe meaisures we^ Jirfve taken are very f'^at is to say, the President, wjio firids 
good, and'thev Vvill notthis time laugh in hmnself compromised before the , nation, 
their bcard;'as t'hey have on former occa- has sent a message toCongress, which J 
moM. -,,. ;w l,.I..3l'f H Dn P„J. t^'^e to be a matter of mere form, thst 

,, n , -r-vi c _• .1 upon hearing the above-mfehtioned pro- 

ii.Thefolloning letter is' from a member oC the positions )ie would, use, only, t|)^:;'}>0Wers 
M*»ic«nCoj>gress, and i* marked, 7irt»o(c. ; belonging to him by the i constitution* 

loi!'. ''.; Mexi«!to, August 2lst, 1847. The Congress, beside the fact that it does 
'^''^'My Dear Friend :-^l have before me not exist, there being assembled to-day 



m 

ilvngsim^msiii^^^^ mm^^W^n lh>lt!/^^la ro^y of Valencia: v^sisr.cfti^.sp^jct^Q^^ 

tti^iie-«iltir«fJl>?5 neyei'tli/^le^^yteir^l i^o or every.' thi^g ^w^g disorder ^.jp^rf ]fi%^fea§^ 
mxl G^swjgr^ss, as LsjiH before^jis itdoes aor /part. i,.)^^it^an make such commjg^ 
BiQ^eK&t, cwrfo i5«)tJvi'n|i|<i; From this Itarips as you ];tl^ase, but. bear m niin-d^jjn 

0j^momi (k&yi6ti6mu^i<rfi?mt^ — that the \FasjCQp[ipoB^4 ^f ::;twenty4oiu^^or,rt;W.ent_y- 
o^-ise^bejng a^a ur;gefntjt>'j.i;e,,ii|^.: eoeray v^^aitr fev,^ /^hRUsand.«iTietn,,..ai]d:- that of the^ene,- 
xil^^mi^^wmM tAw gmm^-^f .the oky,^a Hi^I^oGvonly twelve thousand, men,- a*Q4 
m«etiiaB^u<&fLGmigregs!ibeiiigMirBpQssibie. ih ^ actHms of the 19th and 

URddH-'j^.-Tteview-trealieS' whicli; roust, be 80Ui, oii.r. forces do. .Fiot.j^mounl to over 
fidnduded, at the iatest, next \re^k, the elev^en-thous^in^] n^l^n^' a|^ whom are 
KKJBdutive is necessarily^ obliged, tO:.?>s- frighieiied..to:?d0aliJ* jAmpng'the-m\s(or- 
iuirie -powers not- conceded 'toi J|:. by tlie times; which. b^^jV^-befellen. us, we "have m 
dBnstitution, to wit, that of approving the >^ilds of t^^^^^ many hundreds 

treaties after havingvuiade them, isi a of, p|:is0riers,^inclMdinj^ the batiahons of 
tafcy^fifial slate ok the country ibis would be Independence^ and j. Bravo, the loss of 
■^''a8S«m|iton,l)^Q^drags^bi5^^ BldmPJ -m^' Frotnera, aii4 

theJ^£xecuttv^,^:in o^rder to exercise this other; gep^rah, add ja great many killed. 
|r«w«»if>f^n(bdtS-nece.ssary •to.u-s^^j'.evojuf The , Ex-Presic}<^iit,,f:Anaya ; and. many 
ti®tHivi^'ii«:g!an^. :.:Mence, tha nQoem^y^^^ '9tk^s>^KQii^EmWX§fl ^^ <^^' otir .artillery 
^fvDidtatdrAip, twbich is aiready>:ah- ^ost, and our regular troops disper^dej^r 
jaocmcbd.ifeo,- CLSyiand; I .tibAk-'but a'::fipvy cat to pieces. 

dd}J&.w;ill}ei3iif)?(^b&tbr>e Ujvis^ \^ilb be(^ friendvin allKOurcrtikf<>rtU'n'es I. dp 

iWd.oiiEeiQrt ihb look out. , II riearo;$iny l^ot partiGularly tioXe, as. some people ^vill 
iiiilig'inane!!; wll< inform, you pf it.. .iritis bave .jt, that^thf^^^; has be^.jri ,ai;y _ ^j^e^sj^p 
,tt!ii»xfrtii^rfgoi07lari^y lm4beef§rf.§i|(5@f^sMti'l ^M)^ ■^^PT^km^M^^'^W^^Mmi^ Sd.f^^lff^ 
'wfeeholihd>jlD;,»fre'jyjea-.wnder ..-a^^ftic4^HQr- sayi.thaV:tber0^is; great.^ 
ship)^iab^)Utoii¥iteh owrmditary chiefs have porapce and very btile horror shown on.the 
&Or^rrm»^bidpmi|JJMi<^i^ ajt^drpen- tW^i^ ^^ ^^^^* g?%^r^fe^^:f'hief. "vFe niu^t 

ladpsrfrfte)i>fjii{er©:di^moing oj tlv^t-wli'^n only look to God;f^r the salvatioq of (^ji^r 
i^3^y-w«i^idlbe^t©nf'but being beaten, the ^c I am pleased that you intojj4 

b3&fnBlb(6^8r^T^aJ%vvith this difiqi'^jltJ^^^tp .enter into relationship with the miajj^- 
4,hllt^•a3KitflCij& mmt d)f^.Ve:-soun.e-. thm,4-::t-0 ^ters^and vvith Hi.s.PxceJlency the .Presi- 
lean upon, that support^.fl suppose^ will dent, bat I iiius^ recoiiiniend .that you be 
hbwifaojljte Y^ajiafees, Be this as it rnay, ^prj^i resp^ctfpi m\ ypu^Jle^J^^Jic^jth^t [xpii 
I i\«iit)$eim3aa[C^i!tain and teH/yot4, I will touch their pride without adulation. The 
iiolJ optu^mm}fSQlf in giving ymkM »»i nute n^inister of T. says he will answer your 
d(efeafiiitite«Jd*<Phv the action wa$;b|^^ No one knevv of the intentio/is 

fn^THnidihat lost,; nor will 1 giv<i : yoji^ Valjeiicia had, b'jt after his rout it was 
fiiiatiH&lrf opinion o f . the nioti ves of the par- said that had he gained < h e vie tory , he 
tjiesri hbwe^^eai, I)Wfilht'€jliuy50ijif:^ylil4teljb^^^ have overpow^yecf Santa lApi^ 

fn€^BiraTgBfeio]aai<and\)VieJI infomijed. po^pte^ made himself Dictator, for whicli 

fciBfnftilSate ni:5»,i,tliGj iviyai of vg^rA^ . i Apiiia, pu r jE>o.i^9 J^ ^ Iv^fl .ji) len dy n a med h i s m i n i s- 
AfLshed^dhelgloxi^vof: ck&aUpg>^kQ8^«c-i;]ft^ t9^^ l)V.d i^r.^^/^ii^'ed* tlig-rftjjji !^|j(.{gp«- 

ttBt k©.s ii«gBikiqi aa$i^jtat^^J»9J^f^feW!$i^i(|l^ivld r seyeratpf his iVienck.^ Others^sny 

hatte'hbenti^iatiJiiniinfjWj^Hr^R^^ was m leao«,e with tlpfp 

oiidE^!»'i5(^atin^ajiiW,M5yb€UlcirjpH right or cnenu, but tliis, to .^9^k tiie tri^h"^,j[ 

2 



m 

f^mdt'^i^d 'Stiair nevier beli^V^. HoiV- the same afternoon ^efe <liridedvon« ptirt 
eVer^ tlie man, (Valencia>) Who has been of>vhich toOkthe right of Valencia; &nd in 
6r(ieVed to be shot by Santa Anna, has the mean time he had seflt JreJnforce- 
escaped through the Stale of Mexico, nients to the body ^tatioiied on the left, 
which government hasrece^rved hirn M^ll, obliging his soldiiers to cross a river half 
which I do not understand, body (Up to the waist) deep. In this 

t'f^'Should there be a Dictatorship 6r not, manner Valencia, dumng the nightvwiay 
you must be very vigilant and take care entirely cut off, and at 6 o'clock the next 
of Our intei^ests, that is to feay, should our morning he was attacked at the same 
territory ik»t be benefited; tha-t^we shall time in the frontfin the l-€aT> ami on both 
not lose.^ i have heard it arihbufice'd that flanks. The engagement lasted about two 
the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato arid hours, the result of which was, that all 
Zacatecas, &c., wi^h W W«y«?e ^a ^ sepk* oijr artil lery was lost, with the entire ti^ain^ 
rate republic, but I do fl(^t kn6\^' what ammunition and all , a great ma^iy killed 
to think Colina, on Which account it and wounded and those who were not 
^^buld b*e necessary for them to think us made prisoners were entirely dispersed* 
instruments (tools) to be cheated, others On the afternoon of the day previous^ 
say that those states who are against Valencia, seeing that he vvas in danger 
'the army will annex themselves^ together of being flanked, asked assistance* of 
with other states of the North to the 8anta Anna, who ordered hi'm to retire 
United States of America. immediately, but he, Valen^ia^ did not 

'/*4f*erfe follo^^-s much rnisbellaneous and private retire, probclbly because hej jconsidered 
•^tuattw,] , i^ c.'.:^A - ■ }t u;u . i;i .J^' victory possible. Valencia did not send 

— .^5)ns'if oKt>: for reinforcements orice, but several timesy 

[^oie,- The^iiiat^faiiftttof theori^iiiad,of^hi^ ^asiost,] on all which occastons he wa« refused by 
i!i * # * Sc6t^ a man of superior talents Saftta Anna, and the ordef to retire was 
'itt the art of war^ as it appears, consider- repeated— on account of which, after the 
iiig the positi6n of Valencia very advan- unfortunate result of the Metigagenpfent, 
taigeous, established a small portion of his Santa Anna ordered this general to be 
troops in a ravine very near our batteries shot tor disobedience. Some assure »s 
from whence he could use his muskets to there is foundation for this order,. f^rVar 
advantage, without injury from us, he, lencia was very obstinate, and thereby 
Scott, having no artillery. Afterwards caused the loss of the whole army— still, 
h^ sent a column with three light pieces of others do not think so, as^ having behaved 
artillery to take a position on the heights on vvith valor, saves biih from aUi<iiscreditr 
the right of Valencia'^ camp, and another able imputations.^^ *:i'>5 H»J>t , oqj r si 
nst^y of troops on the left of Viiilencia in My opinion is, that Santa Anna should 
di-der to flank this general. At about 6 have sent Valencia reinforcements and 
o'clock in the morning [of the 20th of should have procured a victory by any 
^AugvtGi] he obtained his object, having means, and after that, chastised him for 
troops concealed on both flanks of Valen- his disobedience of orders. ■ in^hisman- 
ciia, and a very few in front with a num- ner he \vould have rendered'animpiortant 
ber of wagon^, to call the attention of service to the nation and it would Jiavo 
Valencia that way. been a salutary example tor genserals-in- 

"^^Thc column which, on the previousaf- chief in future, Scott, having destroyed 
temodn had taken position on the right our best troops, the fle>wer> of theawny, 
uf Valencia, Scott orderbd should get into then proceeded with* Iris forcesnand at- 
Afe rWar during this night, and the body tacked the main army ih>media()€Jy after^- 
^oflr^tips^that'M'cIre iri frwit of Valencia wards-^that ifcto^^iy, the«ea«te4?ioned:at 



u 

J8an Aplonio and Ckarubu^co arid: Mex- on foot encounter a thousand obstacles^ 

icalGingo^ thereby effecting in one; single [PMregal means volcanic grounds ex- 

dayithe destruction of an anny ^f more ceedingly broken, full of sharp stojiesv^i-' 

Jiji^n. thirty tbpqsand men. This North sing almost into precipices and broken 

JVwicrican generaj, in a strange country, into immense chasms.] Part of the Amer- 

thJ*S|^otight i|s in detail and destroyed our icans went down to the Hacienda <^f 

i^fgearfpy, a thing which j;)ur general Goapa, and Santa Anna thought fit t^ 

jpfarpuld h^iyedpnewith respect t9 his army, place troops at San Antonio, in ordej: tq 

f J It is now 5 o'clock in the afternoon, impede their progress that way. Things 

and the enemy has sent in an intimation remained in this position until Thurs- 

allowing 48 hours tor the evacuation of day, the 19th, when the Americans having 

thi^tCity, so that their (his) troops may overcome the obstacles of the Pedre- 

q^c^Mpy it. Our troops which with great ^a/, presented tben^sekes in front of Va- 

4ifficMltj have been brought together, do lencia, who gave them a hard fight{ 

not exceed eight or nine thousand men, having confidences^ owing to the past, 

wi^^i. wh^<pil we qan do no^^ the valor €tf ? hisi trppps^^ Mt , an 

jfj^e la§t their m<?r«Z<?. >pt t ^|J jr lW ^ i«prning of Ihc^oSOtb^: lafeout ^^n 

^^../jThe companies of Bravo arid tnde pen- minutes after 6, he found himself attacked 

^4erTP^? >^^h the exception of a few killed, by the enemy, who destroyed all his dir 

ajT^e] prisoners. Generals Salas and Go- vision, took ^11 pf his artillery and over 

rpstiza, are prisoners, as also others twenty thousand dollars he hisid fprfiljhe^ 

j]tyhosei,natpe^ I do not recollect. As yet payment of his troops^ - ) u. 

lljjiiear of the death of only Gen. Mehia This great disaster was increased it| 

^^^ PI* ,Frontera, Col. of cavalry. It is the afterno<>ij at about 3, when the Yan- 

^o ^pii^^ but not certainly, that Perdigan kees took the well fortified point, at Chu- 

lar^s luJJje^. , I^ just been told that rubusco,. causing a great many deaths, 

j^f^Vof3i5i,pri^p,ner and also Anaya. and taking a great number of prispners. 

oi ,8lliJ7/ ufiji ^.^ ""a *>! ifei^ You can imagifle our state in the capital 

noYrOl^osiUv' V'^^^' "^"S-r^v Ao47. under su(?h repeated v misfortunes, the 

J. C.^^My much loved and respected ^^^q^^ as all of our trdops are dispersed 

FriMnd :-~ fhe enemy made his appear- and we are momentarily expecting an at- 

,ance on the 12th near the Penon, which tack qpon tke m#taL We ar^ lost, Mr. 

ll^fu^M 4^4 not appear disposed to at- J., and in my ppinion tbere is no hope of 

,llack, It %mg too well fortified, and they reparation. Some people are spreading 

.went around by the way of Chalco. On the the report, that Santa Anna is implicated 

16th they made their appearance at San \^ an intrigue, but this I know is false and 

Augustin 1 lalpam, and Valencia immedi ^^ one has any rightto- suspect anything 

atel^.lpo^pp,sUionpn the hills of C^ <.0 -.O .^ 51 oT 

i^s, near the town of San A^^ knows what is to become :f>f,uf 

brdhant division, Ixro light by him from ^heyi these men come intp the capital. 

SanXuis Potosi, 111 number 6000 men, # V^ Very possibly these devils wiU 

perfectly well equipped and furnished find some means to intercepjt this letter, 

;vpth?4 pieces of cannon. This wg^^ a n^d^^ Qbut^ as I said to you before, I 

P^'WtiPJV taken by governnfient,, ,^^ ;m);wili,^e.l^:.tvliat stratagem I can send 

QUe-^thpught^t^atthe Americans wPiridyo^^ jitters iii fiiture. a'^iryB^P^^oi 



tak.eJlve road from San Augustin to Con- ., _ .,,, . , . , ,^ , 

U*eras, as it, is over a pedregal. . I do not 

Jknpw whether you are acquainted with ., ^ • , i ^ . ||^iP^^^ ^'4?*. ^^l^^^^- 
th^road, but even those \yhp. ^^^W-"^ .^^^1^*1^^^ ^^® ^^M\.?t 



1£ 



g*©uft&«<ftf igaii Ange!^ and tlm^^gh nntil gone thV^o^ii, the hand of providence has 
}^t*^a^ niorniii^ -^^iotorv had declared saved m€*/**ahd f reae.'hed the capital la^t 




^m '^'dWMii^^'^on-'liritmo're: And it '^ppeki 

nte^inPdle h^fi6d[^^^1ptM^f%^feyyCo^s^stift^ ^^BjifitWthe rnisim'tunes that have beset 
m> i^f^ty^im^o&Amdn 'hf large ■calil3re.f'J Wf^t iffot^t* Vdil and concealed th^ ti'tith, 
n^n^efii^u^^of this^aiiaii*^ ttm?e ^U but now that the d^tiger is all ov^i^; I^^H 
want- of conndence in ^1 paft§^^^i^i%jf sny- speak the troth, and say that we have Been 
ingtha^ it was a dehbeJ^ate*^^M¥t^Mer • .cW0ipi(?(e!y routed, losing all of t5nr^fo 
b&fPafeyf ding iotny-opMm fte>fetlMi?^fe ficlti'ohsiWiek than six hour&.^^"W^ MVe 
hlUhe-want of -forekif'ht'- and;precfyjit^"^ji only 'a sm^all portion of our troops JeH, 
in ourprincipal officers who rely too much which wi!| leave the city to-morrow. ' AJl 
ibr ^afece^'-Upon ^nurrfb^-^^j^ik^^h^^ ene- persbiml (Miigef ' 355 ftow at an ^ end,-^n<[l 
n¥^ftG^lli?er' steep nor kno^ fe^'i-i wnr. no^hni;z',cffstiH-bs us but the' sense of ^ our 
"f^V\Q M^^ilo'^tChurubuscWa^ii morethan calanikies.' The^ spectacle to-daj has 
rfi^^-l[hou^f?lM Vriem beU^^#^:kill>M^'and been 'distressing, tsyda'can' well Magi'fie, 
frmitt^e<i^ without (iaviop b^^'v||i|^l^^^t^ to-moi^i-©^4t''Ml('*be worse, and I'sh^il 
tf^ttJtliowt(^ make the sligte^^t ^Mvaiicffe shut niysejf up betwe©i^ four walls, to 
^6n'^eJicohtrary ail hart)e0b>4ost/'^ l^osavoKrperso will go to .you 

day the lines (retemwg teli^h^girrfas,) tf the' diii^eHce^ leaves' to-morrow/%t^t 
have been reinforced:^ midf«li^ft^t ar- this is not certain. As we have no nib re 
(\yfi will he decisive, pla^if^ltfeifeqc^apital combataiifs in the city, the entrance of 
Itithe haticfey[5f^fitheoiSfKpk^^,<rirInt win ihe enemv will be pacific ; we shall onlv 
l«ftBe4^:€J^ail oh]oyq 9ffio8 .no.&Ci*'i^i - have the 'mortification of seeing arouiui 
b9 li30ilq«h ei BnfiA >>*«b8 indi ,noq9-i 9riJ j^g ;iniperio^?s visitors. We have twi 
bnG eels) di wonjff #rt^§Ad .en^iiini nR n %^oi2-h of m^^M'unt''' ^^ijiim X^nJ n^m 
>^nidtYn/iJooqs5riiafiKlcfpnAu^,^t8^0i ' • ?' . : "^ iS .rnuqluiT nUaut^i// 

To JR. C. C— On Thursd^V^tfc fl>i'te--^l^"^.^ ^f '^^ 
lf6nifti^(J^^^gaifJst W^lerltm d^Won,^'^^?'lfrf ' 

anAi>«W1lti^ed^-U^U^6^P*•'M.;^^^?fl9#% as 

^\eio^^^^'0\)^P^ iid'he:^ mfMe'^ '&c.<:fed States. To^mdrrow our governm6m 
{^^ftif#ito^vl(^&ltelt^veP^e«!]lii9f^ emog bnft Hvilj fistr;n to hitn. If there is prudence 
t /TH^4aW>ifln<5> btti^al ««i^^^tf^Bfe^y,^6b'served sonicthing may be arranged, and 
\^ti§rWm^. if\Vi4)»ftl^>hWt*4iM4-1be^fi'^s^{b%f?fle ffitufe—God knows what it will be.— 
forHhy enemy to^at«^'lgiv^lpty ^«c^> h That the enCmy should have reached the 
severe blow. - * * Very gates of the city is hot at all strange. 

'^t was unavoidable, and concpierors'cian- 

thc immense mC b6''"l^^^raine(h The enemy are at 

falTo'ri 15)?^ \jnd ta'?5BaP, and I will at anothek- lime give 





J^I3 

i^i!»%i<>«i. f'ibJixl 'io 91190?. ojIi i>.h-tB'i>oi (heom^. t& ih^igitist ,y)if; sil) 'j.,. (t>M>-i) 
fesungiid eri) buoi 9fi*- no atjooii aid oJ _ — ' .h.d/. 




•Lapr. Valencia. wi rc!aed ''^^"^^^/5''^^'^'''\«aer^^f gtt a^ 

|IJ -jontirfuation -the same fate jiefet tlie.*«,«« i« «»l,b^*'tt^«9.^' I ea(»,ot Boaept 
bficafle of Perez, stationed at Coyoacan, yo'""- ^''^t «8^''' m>t even we«@ the *veil«s 

,, iJi^J'o is to be punished for these disas- ^*^«"'^' '"order 4h«t .t.nft.y *'f ; bUrfto 
fc, ::rhe public voice accuses Saqtay^^'jou w'll endeavor, not^ithstdri*M)g 
yns^^^Lh^vipg. been a cold and \^^^,. ^^%^^^t'^ J^miiummufto ^dr^t&^ on 
sive specWtor of the route of Yalencia, ™« f'^''<'"ehut,tfted-d«Uifl-s, -and doi-rik 
Avbilst his assistance might possibly have:'«^'f *"y ^PPortunTty of wntintfto rtf^OH, 
^ftcided^tg. bfttUe; in -pur fav-or. The °.™«;*'^^t I majkeisp you in fiinds'. - : 
ya*ee?;S^rounaed ValeiiciaVand some 'K'^ exeeediriglyr^palnful to me to com- 
of them placed themselves between him ^■„«n'«ate the distressing news of the loss 



and Santa Anna, without any inlen:up- P^ J"'' capital, and I iviil endeavor, sof«r 

tion from the latter. Some' say 'that WS-**.^'* '^^*^ *'-'^'*'' ^o g'^«^ yo^^ ^ cirotflflsWft- 
lencia disobeyed the orders of Santa An- '■'''I «'^='''""^0'* si^' '^^at has happe*«dinBa 

na, and Santa Anna was piqued hyMhe i*i erd&r that we may understand iWft- 
.disobedience, but this does notles'sen 'the ^;^^^l' Wife liec^iiary to give you^ ani-i^ea 
culpability of the rascal who graSifies a ?' "'- genera! pian of defence adopted 
private feeli.rgs„and thereby modardises »/ ou? g^nfirals, or- |>Fdperiy,..ty. Satrta 
thfl most'sacf^int.irests of his' country. Anna_alone. THd.'f;<iHHi^5y.':lieB>^rilM1iig 
^';,The fact is fhateverything is lost, and f[o"l«o^''' to South, wtfg;de<term«ed'-by 
rt&;;5raBJie«s>viU.be here to-morro%v. -, the foi-t»fi«^ pomts of Pbnbi^r^d^ Mm- 

..:;i;. „„■ w -ii, J.. .iWi.^.o '^''''^''^')''«i'n«i' •"6 haciei^da' ot'aBWAuto- 
_„;„,„i,„i , .. , , -■".-- 5". .•- .i--.u ^^. aijy if,eextrentesfi1y«fcS^#iSW(-'icof'- 

SrY f^t^^/fT'l'^^' '^ "^'^^ by. Valerleia's dkionV^M^h m^s 

J5'1.^1^j"^jf'» San Angel oii the right, at the same ti^ 

.„^:||^jl^<etfr^S^ ?W-4f(§'teg avaiiable for the defence of the' line 

lij) ^^T P^- well, thanks to. God/ ^^m Antonio to Chaptfltepec, whilst 

4\fye received your letter, c^'^. -^'"'^^^^^^^ ^iivarez's division of cavalry was ordered 
; We are m a bad way; '\1^|i il^fe^'^ISfe-upon the rear of the enemv^ in oider to 
battle on the hills of Contrerasf^i4fl'?fi^t complete their destruction'^i^ case dP'n 
4^. ^^"^'^b"^^°^v ^"^* to-mbrrbw'^or^' next rout. With regard to the fortifications, 
day the Yankees wiil be in the capital.— in order that ycu may form some idea cif 
The Yankees have lost 4000 men out^df^h'ein; I wilTsay this— that on the rdbd 
.J^^.fen thous^^ Tlapam, (San Augiistin,) there wfete 



tn^n^ttiey undertake to oc 



The Yankees have lost 4000 men out^df^h'ein, I wilTsay this— that on the rdbd 

n\ 
to occupy tfie capi- fortinc^tions^ at-SAii Ani^eyiio, a strong 
tal, which is almost incredible. WestffiB?! at^^Oh^ub^y^ Mit at 'fh^^brf^. 
5nY?i about ;i2,000 men,' arid entertain There were' ^bm ^fo^lif?(»:4t?(^¥^ W^f^, 
nope:4 of find! success. FdVewell—do riot pluin of Natividffdes, atfeW^a te^feu^^ih 



ei4 

lfc«*nt:ify, atid/'al^d ^i thei garita (eri- troops fmrlaSati Aiito^nio dndpar^^ 

iraVice) of the city, called Sa a Antonio towards the scene of battle, and- jt^ined 

Ahad. ^ to his troops on the road the brigades 

Oiir as^rhb^dBirces amounted, at the of reserve, cpniposed of the brijliia^t 11th, 

least, to twenty-six thousand meny of ail and ,tfie iigh^ battalJQns. With these 

afms, wrth aJjoiit-seYiBiity pie(?^s of ^ c^ whjch, if they did not exceed, 

«i»Qn,r ^'h'ife those, of tbP.e!iEei%y,t^ than three thou- 

're«3Cih€t)[^ ie«,ahotiaan|l, it^i^ih %iy pi,eces sa Anna remained a cbiA 

,(r4\ia5tiireryf!R% has .been r^4><Drt^d,;T|ie spectator bf the bttttle, ahhough' he feent 

-^rlji»atj«>i^0f itfee^e?li6q^y?^asi;i.ye^ of troops to dif^todge a portion of 

*q^>€>^fts th^;iiad noiBpn^y. fAtoPueb|la thb enemy's force in the edge of the 

they paidi ©a-e per cent. fofinoney,ai\d Woods, near the tower of Padierna,[^ 

ofi the r<)ad! they ni^depu^^ cutting oft'Valen- 

fidr^fta payal^le in I^fexicpio^fteri ppcji^- cia'4 communicatlbhs, but while march'- 

tion by ihem* /. , :\ :e U 7/ i5o> .liov ^ftig with' bayonets Hxed to execute this 

_ When the. news fjneach^ h.§r^; <>fi .:^l^e ord^^^^ thehi to r^- 

AQtli^lihMihe eneii>yhW^r^ygt3^iqtcE!r^, t^ ordered two pieces of 

.some troops, together with^it^yi;^,^^^ to be Wought up, which arrived 

guards, left the capit|al tot p^cupy^ ar^d at about dusk, ^nd only abrcitit ''eight 

-l^lrengthen the JRenon^ where; it^ is ;fsti-«hots ,'wfere fired, without effect, as the 

.m^ted. we had about ^even thousairi men ev^nirtg 'had/set in. At night Santa Anna 

iSifid iwenty-fiye pieces of cannon^^ Valen- withdrew his siipporting force to San 

-it?Ui >va^4hen at TexcuQo with fivQ tb^M- Angel to 'i^eep^ The opposing forces, 

sand m<3n ai>d twenty-two pieces of can-left in th^ field, Ht their fires, and Valen- 

i^c^n. : The enemy caip^e jn^ sight pn the cia, in consequenceof the heaVyrkin that 

pXlltki^nd on the l2Aj|H>yopCame lyitkiii felrduring the night, ordered a piquet of 

.a>j«ague of the fortifications of Penon, two:^hundred hofse to retire, which fi^d 

iWitjhout interruption, and having, made a been p6sted in a ravine to (prevent pre - 

Hi;fie(W*^QieisanGe,theymovpdtowai^s Ch^ afterwards occurrfeff. ^■^^^'^^'^H 

^0i>Al\d/W,p Wer§ tt^n -C^rt^in. that the Note.— This refers to the night movement o/t'hc'^AmcJ i- 
(koitlt 6f ait^pk; ; WpU.ld be S^jU^ Ar^.tOniQ. can troops/which was made alon^a ravine to' tli.k.r«ar of 
- Therefiy re, - it: . l^Cail^e- « \n^JOl^Sf^y > fer Valencia's camp, by means of #h!ch a surprise was effected 
ValmoiOf tQ.W(me • I^api(»y.t^ on the moving of the 20th. 

-i^nd tihej^rger. part of the troops at th^ At the break of day the following 
^Pegon ;w0;re^ordere4> \vith some cannon, morning, Santa Annn ^notified Valencia 
Jtr^f^an- Antonio and ChurubuscG. , no^^tpiCantinue the action, and he sent 
-iMijAt thes^ twO;pointsjand at the Portalis the ; auxiliary brigade to the ,q^pits|l, he 
;th^^ >ver;e,i^«r-,t!giri^l^iJsaiid men, with himself returning to San Antonio, leaving 
iar^iU^y of various calibres, from four to Valencia isolated, who could not tHeja 
.i^venty^-rfive pounders, together with large retreat, a« he was surrounded by the 
,j3Qwitz<ef^. Although V^lpnqiia.ba(J ex- enemy, who had availed themselves of 
^f^t^b^ onr^pr^ tt) ^void ayfigJi^ with tbie the night to select their own positions as 
\(My^J^&t;ii\i Mi^f' .thunder yof;his can npti they pleased. Valencia therefore con- 
[<^rithc< , iS^l^Ki^t aboA|t , X2 q'i^ock, gave tinned in his ppsitipn, ^id^^xiet ^^h^ e^r 
i^qlice^tba^ a fi^t yy^s going on at th^ my in a fight, whiqhi did }1JAV last .^^^^^^ 
I^§dj-£g^l, .[r9<ijig)> va^canic gi;ound,] neaf minutes at most, as 9^5^^ y^^^ 
;§^.HAl^gfi.3. The J&gi?,^{pber,a)ne y^i^ c.olurx^ns attacked higi, in jh^ ^re^^^^^^ 
^6^rp a^,abo<M: 4 o'clock ip^t^he, after- W^tb iflfjpunity took possession of twei^ty^ 
(fffm>u^^ i^^^ M^^ drew .some twp;.piec(^s of artillery, which were pom^ 



m 

ing t<i>'\iaMs the ^)Pi^ci pal Body of the-very costly to the ene^^iy^ Q^viflg tq . th^ 
enemy in the frdinU [This assaultJasted nqi»b^er ibey lostr^^^g ^tiU i^;C^^fijgivfi^lft^; 
sev«iit^e« mitiUtes by tte© watcli:.] Tliis, as I sJiaU explaiiki!i>hr>n'io gnoihjliiid i^:^i\ 
togmher witb the conduct of iSiatai o Soon after Santa Ann^f ffjtu^jrmiJ.-jtiii^r 
Anna, depressed the enthusiasm of our Ghurubu^cQ, he heard thqj^im^^iPiffflbfi) 
tr<oops{ ;afid they w^rel dispersed^ arid mute of Valencia, and as he ;theff0by5>M^^> 
Vatencm,it is said, is gonetlo the Saudi the only point which couW .pr^j^e^ v^9l«i; 
with Aivare25, whose caYalry^'it appears^; Antonio, he ordered that ::pi^^i^1) a^^l 
w«ls'not able taaiacH/ omTig) t<D!4lie nature; abandoned, but^ \viitbef«t dQilbH/J h^f^/yf^^i 
©i^ l-h e gr^uiJid, all hough it ik stii d that the not one among oiir generals i whp k^^. 
cJayipi^evioHB the -cavalry^ jmlade a charge how to direct this difficult operatiafivliftt > 
»pdi^ thiB senemyi icAsifa^sas Jjhave: beerteven Santa Anna himsejf, \f ho$§jbieM)ift; 
able to aseertair*,' it appears that the not Itmexiiive.} [Note — when ¥^l^qil's 
troops^ whicb £^t tacked' i¥aienj6ia were nat;c^mp was foroed,the passage to Saa Angfj) 
superior t6 his incumbers; besides, that was: open, it^Hdi thus Sart: Antonio .w^^^ 
Valentiia had artillery and the chGice of turned by its rigbt.), 
a <?ommmanding> /position ; cpnsequentlyj Ij had forgotten tPjt^ll y ou,,and it is njece^- 
dttfirrg th^figli^ of the^ afernoon of the^sajiryifor you to kp^w-it^nthatl^p^p^^ 
ISth the^ aidvantages werfe on our sidef the general headquarters; of th0 Am^ri^ 
and ^he. enemy,' we are assured, lost over cans^ that is to say? half a leagiie .fro^vi 
two thoiasand men, and m&^^j iiiuch . less. San Antonio, a: placje whj^k the^j ^nemyf 
[The American loss, on the contrary, occupied withtraiiquility, t\pt^vit^1a»t^r)()j4;. 
wias very trifl i n g, not e ven fifty ra en.] i ng the fire M wr beavy artillery. ; ^ ,- 1 •; 
The resahs x)f tfeisi affair • depended ^Bff ejFrom (SoaparAHe erierny could easily 
tirely upon the operations of the eneftily, perceive without glasses our movements 
toder : covers :of I the > night, the natural at San Antonio, and attack us in^pi^r cf- , 
aarelessftdss ^:bur generals,, and of the treat. - l f^^woi -pmoB ei'rif eqooi) 
condfiiict jof Saiiita Anna; \^ell, then, after' SanjGi^l^lhjijfi 

' We tine assured that some of Valencia's the news of the rout of "i IV^je^i^lK.; 
officbrs^dvked him to change his posi- he ordered the troops at San AntprlH>ri^fti 
tii)n '®R tbieimorning^ of the 20th, but Va- retire and sustain Churubusco, and aJ^j 
lencia, determined to cj^rry out his own ordered the brigade which had left- S^gt; 
piains, did not: listen to their, advice, giving Angel in the morning for Mexico tOp.;|^t 
the enemy time to surprise him, by an at-? turn and defend the bridge. [Note — there 
tack upon his rear, i > s ' was here a regular /e^e d^ pont, accoj - 

. ^l^very one aigrees that the reciprocal ding to the best principles of fptti#0a- 
emidtiet of Santa Anisaaild Vaiencia can tion.] The first part of the prdw w^^^ 
only be explained, by supposing that each executed at San Antonio^ spmer.of tlief 
wished to. have the glory of a triumph; guns tb ere being spiked and abaqdpRediv, 
and toire venge, each upon the other, the This inoyement was observed b)^ thi8( 
sehsc: of previous grievances. lean also Arneriean^ who had not Mp/to th.is' ngpr 
assure you, that Ii heard Santa Anna give meilt moved from th^eir positipi) ; ubftC 
thel order, after he heard of the defeat of wheu they obseryeKl . oiir troops rj^etir^,; 
Valencia, that he should be shot, whei'- and some cpnfusip^jin our^^nip^^ud W?r 
ever he could be found. I give you this derstood ojir design, they ordered a.eol-t 
neii'js ii thner^hatuyou.,ma^Y,adtigi©^his u,inj|i>^Ofpas^.by thfiiV^ay of tlie pedregi^l,} 
friends/ ot oo^^ tiinTsa jon ilm [joO rcffta^idTcatiorfi'pwr f^jLjCeat. jijtt the pqd regal,, 
Th4iaxstit)D^?©^ i^Fhion;4lie^ iabovi^f is a tbe^jin^et soitre pf [tiiq; vietprioijis i trqops. 
brief adcount, although a partial one, and from Vaienoia'l^o6^mj>i, p^^ing byr Sflo- 



m 

best battalions of national guards, wished? anKia\ afgk-j^aBfc^/sacbi^jeiiailfhftfbridjl^i^^t^i 
t(y^eifgt^g5(irM featttfe, Ullferfe being mxith lo$tib©fo>e ttotisKdiyanceiof ti)B-vretp^ti^ij^ 
ctt4'hasiasrii4iiidhg^tb^tn,still, tke jjjiiii(3fpal' tToopi^m^'edrat rtfae f^hitai^o^ oMjOxie^/. 
otlkiet^ln (rfi^a^ge'^f iiw^ retreat, >^o«l(l? tot^The |:>asi5age, at the agar itadwasij^^ ry-riaajv 
aW?/^ ^.*^i^'l0 ilrfe^ bill' urged their rel!^atvmwfbwiri^'>tlo'*b© -panapetsi, jatud ,m>ld^ 
bjda ^<ir(^d^ilSJa^dhi-i^iu' enemy b^kg^GiJ iwore f(jiiii€i^kt[byiVB9;::\>^gofl »v»'liiah hn^ 
tfetfetf ^ft^Uvfthofdt ^'ftrii^':. whfob cir&ii«H- bjeeiiru^^^ Ti€!»di ^rXhe 

sF^iVft^ Wfe^'calfflOt Mnderst^wJ^niaSfn)h:by?bmdgiefi:okc^ rlbmfla 'party, Mf;Ariieri|ca^i 
eotdd^^v^'^ciMP yU^oih'^tro^^is^^toKBJdalgo^cB^Bdiiy, 'smhli.drv ^kiumberi /c^oye .befbi^ 
irtjdf»^^AojH^l Wallbli'^l iguar^^ iJ^nse^ asv othstn' arthddsandi^f ^i>ur hxMiseiaeni—tbetii 
"^'iK-tlffelfii^^Y iMf f<jrceg/i|j!rwfid M* drove be fo Kit hem, the refeatmg^^infftiiJry^ 
(5tWfiW%^^;ij^§m A^iji^h^pteig)^^^^ ^pttf- aiid the confiifeion/bfeoabi'eig^eBi^'raL Uxider 
stfe¥s ^fefd^ie^ecieite thf^ * rii^ s^f ?oor tmxs- thesfe eircundstatncds, i tfe e; ; smbll.t garmo.tt 
ketry, and of one or morfe^^aift^oits^ whieh at the garitaly fired r»tlieTiUJ30jl oiiirOWH 
g*^^^dbf*'i^^{re?^ing*U'i^(5cypsi^tiffte to tA]ie iv^m, than upoi^i;^thew<cqi 6^33^1. laTbiaf-wdli 
In^e«tH:,q^rid If^^^lMivtlld 'dM "i}X)u;. >aB iij^a ofiitlie ddsjfSr^ffJ !^itob 

^seipa^^fed^tbeIil'fl•^l§l^Th^:<^^ifemyi)by^C^^ Hdwoii^it; 

ing ih^^dVfihc^^ 3f'>t^b8 flatter. It would thi)'enemyls>Ga¥dry stilb/a^VRBfled^ 'dpi ta 
b^itfSffk^irlfUoJiftiat^fe yo^tiiunder^t^fid the tlseGveiiy?/ditGh0s,i»and oii-e / dificgflr^ liiajrser 
t^gdfdcfi^Hfl^i^i ^i]ifa,et5^i'rK^ this nvhofe and BH^jiimped mto our parapetmtjfeno^f^if 
ret reat. • O^Jt' W t'^.W-iolrh^ da^ntitfh'iakign iwas captiired isnd mad^ '"pfiisdn^itfi AvhHe 
tV^>^-^ ^fr'-JAiiragifi[^ wd^e aged>* ^gt'-'flie we saw two or three^of itikjei^icaltateji feiir 
ljr^<i^^^§ fh^'^'ft^e^^i^p^'ftv ai-Mv^d TOiJ;^ .Whilst our troops were ilmnipg iatb 
latie. "Widf'Sv'hii^^^hf^^Jnfif^^h^aj iffetr^t^^ di?persiDg in all diraofcions,Mcr,^ 

troops were going towards Mexico, tlieytwiih feeirbrvoaad ieTryiDgi'jtii^ f^^SHi^mii^m^ 
\h§Mfk\^i'}S^^^(^^^*frViiiiHh^^^^^^ coming in imrac?d^ial^y^^Y«Delt)i)ll»eiO',' 

a(«t'¥6Mfi¥ir tesfsl^lic^->\^^>s^ofl5? c>f a^si^ftbe enemy halted withbotififcheocit^Nb'nd 
iflfcrfiliWf^er^ '^•6¥iYo7ji^^^^ is to clay tranqai^lh©a .fbxjit'k^ 

st'i^ctii^ th4^5i'o(i:rf/i^p%h0*JdoAfff(ittr.:*tllid tairre th<e English Miniater^J or oratlier 

th^s6^biPlii«^30Tk ^fiOoefcrf»i4iimy3i©R&f^<1^«cQpi;tdat^^^^^ l^iiMq 

c6tt^^«<li(i|s^ (^)^e^'?t&.Tef|^.T noi^.'l 8/3v,and cur iVIinirter of FoTOigriil Uolprtit^njs^ 
-BWttM ^<his=''^s^"^Jggin^'i(i)^dtlf^ f^bUad^a';ta*at?abofiU;^«t>o'd^ 
i*^1inmlmi\ 'ii^ *^Snil^«l1l>'^i^, "^diKleif.ibeJ i^jCon^e^U^hbB&x^otdBtadfi'(kf}^tJi^ba% 
]{h\ih(i(Y\^mQfi](g^m^f^R]itfi^A^u-h)OM fbonwhyAo sd xUui 

fti^fHi^fete khffvbM'm rS^^i^ittW^j «ttd^ ; i'^n^e^t ina% igft)l^®ilteftTbdr6>;dmia}w 
itb^btHer iV&dfi^^Qt t*ft)^e^Of a>h'6'lffftiOilal'ge#,T9|Jhfetffe<i^ rbcil>e<ipwibat-Iokrlo*K 
gHiiU^f^^^H\'^^ ^^*dbf rid^j)^i>dttft5^i^ 'lihe Mm noiRdlar.c/witn^^SP^, swp»T^t]i«grth<^ 
e'W^Tiy ed^ly^tiil^hini|Q)iH>ife'<i^|/ib(lft^e'(^^"^^ f"o^( oui?.?sG 

f(m\Pfr(y6\^^\\:r\V^^ hfim^m^n^gMn^^iiti rvx>hdludfe> tmte w«ht»6fit)ithp,-!afadk) bd-» 
s»4#i(M%ftt'ti<n(^tWft^i«tfc^^jli^'^niery?ibrmight. ak&kwhciih'thQ'^diiimiik siirMeir .are>ufeedr 
(rm\^4tiyAMm\(^li^Mi(^m^e^\\i^'*^r&»%B no/ a/i^l .bnuol 06 bluoo mI vj^o 
tjtm]^^^^ili m>t' 'frti(t^!«imiin{t!oit i^Y ic^ilny >ifGo©Hli%e^/).'niy'f<frjdiid^-,aiidJ Hi hopa 
i\^\*'hm\t^hijA\t of^vWeh'fhfe lithJr^^wthat God Avill not permit you to witness 
itf^fft*^of il^% Vth(?*r'etit^ed to M^^'x\(h^^^\^p>6l ;^ «ia»jy'flflsfb(Huiieitfia« ]^omi<iiiwaddr 
WHtfoaf: lya'rf|f>g <*M»}figed*^:^inJ <W figtbt' ^;»J; . mio harnjff r. fl^noddfi ehiuodbi; V^iid 



Don Ji P»F*: fly from this coniitrj, which is stamped' 

T- ' , , , ., , with the seal of Divine r6nrobartron. arid:' 

[After detailing the eyenU as usual down to the midst oi '^ •4.. / l • i. _.*l 

/^\ ^, ■, ,, , , . ijroa seems to have Written iigaanfst'ustthej 

tbe fiffht at Churubusco, the writer goesontosay.J 1 /- i .» ,- -r» 1 . rr^ 

! ^ words of the least bHielshazzar. lears^ i 

The cavalry was ordered , to make a spring from the eyes, qikI despair seizes 
charge, but these cowards refused to do the soul, when it "is seen that there is aniy - 
it--„evertheless the action was well sus- among us a capacity for vice, and that^ / 
tailed, but the Yankees advanced their everything is desecrated by a demoral-n 
right wing as far as the edge of the river, i^ed" people. 1 recommend to: lycHpfirtyi 
so that the river only separated us from ^^j, Give m^ loV^i^^i^&^l <Elte^{^i« 
them— then our infantry m front dis- , ':: Jj:) Kvyiis h\\j fvwom oi 

persed, and at their example the fortifi- ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ .^m^^kUn^^^^oiv 
cationsm front [on the road, i. e., the tete ,:•. .,1. u 1 ^^'Mirwi^;.^ Ai-.^>^^i^W hk 
depont,] were abandoned, after wards the u.idB Hid Mf:-iy^A^P'f{ll^§' fi]] lu^r-juin 
right,[i.G.,ChurUbusco,] when it saw itself To J\ M. 4^ J. — My Dear Friend:.-^ 
aloriei-^ahd then the retreat became a I have none of your esteemed letter^.to 
dispersion, the enemy following close answer, but I take the pen to recite some 
upon the rearguard, even to the very lamentable events — not lamentable on ac- 
ditches of the garita [gate]. At twenty count of the blood shed, which has been 
yjtfds^ from the garita, there was an but httle considering the number of cotn- 
Amc^riiean officer killed, who was about batants engaged, but becaiise '>i'|' KfetW ' 
to kill Santa Anna with hissword. This not the shadow of honor left. ' b^>cr !jrr'» 
i^ the histoi^y of thb battles, '^^^ ^'^^'^' -^^ The battle commenced abdutnotjn on 

The mdrhle of the army ha^ been lost, the 19th against Valenc'ii^s division, 
aliid all enthusiasm extinguished ; never- which lasted until 2 P. M., the n^xt day, 
th^Fess, the enemy hais lost about 2000 there being nothing but a continualseries 
miert 5 while we still have 18,000, and if of routs and a series of errors commit- 
ther'e was. SL head to thesej we could still ted bv our generals and subordinate offi- 
coi^tiiri' "^^^'^ Joii ob v9/ii 1 b:n >i r; i cers, who were filled with fear', terror arid 

^heY^ginhrerttVofTfetoria arid HidaFgo cowardice, causing a confusion atriong^ 
iia*^ dissolved so as not to fight. the soldiery impossible to reduce to or- 

•Ari annistie^'is in discussion, on the der. Even wonien would have done \ 
basis, fhM' the c*aprtal shall not be at- better. ' ; . . ' 7' 

taeted, aftd that the Yankees will take The consequehe'e of all this ils, tliat gill ' 
notMrig vi^ithout paying for it^-and they our materiel of war fell into the hands of 
will eficamp in th^ neigborhood. Tliis me enemy, together with the fortifica- 
arntfistice will serve to collect the dead, tions from Mexicalcingo to San Angeh 
and arraitge^' i "pe^a^!!^. The reflections including San Antonio, Churubusco, Paiz- 
whichthesfe events give rise to, are so zacola, and in fact all the fortifications 
natural that 1 omit them. We shall soon in the valley. The dead, wounded and 
see each oth<^rf'^to' if' peace i? made, I dispersed were horrible to be seen in the 
amgoing whe:r6 yoU' are, arid no less if city, and an immense cloiid of officers 
the ^rfny take Mejticb, as I am resolved rapidly traversing the streets, making it 
ileve!f to Mve irt a plac^ commanded by appear that they were occupied about 
th^m. I will nevei^ witness tlie degrada- something, in order to avoid ineeting the 
iiofr'of this occupation of our capital by enemy. ' • iu 

ttie eiii^hiy. My blood bmk at witnevSsing Nothing has been left fdrthe salVatidn 
so much cowat*dic^, so 'niuch inaptitude of th^ capital but an armistice obtained 
and infamy, and one must either die, or by the Bntisli Ministei*, as the American 



.*? 



iBr 

arfa»jqttS3dl ^uii^^dpj' gste^v-airf >ve> imveikiiovv not whirl). The othefi\foqc€^ ^J^ 
iiQthiiig left but the dirt that flies through of General Norrigo, is at San Francisco, 
our-sta*eets to defend the capital- — that is fend the guerrilla of Mr. Kiyeia is in the 
to-.say^here IS no /warr^/e left among us. citadel. Having been found in the 

r:¥:oa will see, mvdear friend, froni aw rout yesterday froni Chul'ubuSco, the 
solhwn predictions, that I have the sad battalions of Victori^'and Hidalgo havo 
vanity of always approaching the truth, been dissolved, whilethose of Indepen- 
H<ijWTeYcr, I will lay aside thin glomiu^dence and Bravo who escaped withlife^)' 
pirture:^— abandon it entirely, and take are prisoners. - ' ' 

myself to the, l:)Qsom of niy family, there To ail appearatice^'^lhis farce will be 
to mourn the errors of my too ambitious OnishedHd^morrow. MANUEL N. GVJ«^> 
brothers, wiw)m:;rwe are to thank for all ^ yiil i>jq _ _ .bsai^q 

our mjisfprUnies^, t I salute you for the last ^^^ ^*^^ r^ -'• :|f g^^ Au^- n '^^}^^'' 
time with t|iS iiUme of Mexican, but shall -^ Bear Mother -—In orc^t' haste J 
alwi^Vft^^^'6ikiMe^ to.iJ^-sa ae a much at- i^y M^^' Mo.ihei . m j^reat haste 1 
taefhia^ii^^n* "^^^^^ -1110^ 'io pirg; cj-^4 w?:ite tq yon this letter, so that you may 

'inioa sJiD^ioi noqjih oAtii i iijd }irt^b, l?^^^^ news of your husband and son.. 

oe no MQia3Qif^^n-pmv^fld^)fj)ai,^ 1 esterday the division, of Valencia and 

iiasfi gfixf flojff^^^-^^^^' ' ^»- ■' other troops from that place were rojited:, 

-fflfiS'io J^ ''"^W^^i^l tell you >something by the Yankees— and as it may be of in- 
I l^^]r ^nd sopiething 1 have seen in this terest to you (atMorelia)l adTiseyou that^ 
accursed Babylon. It is said there js a the troops from that place have not ye f.. 
suspension of arms, with the object of come into action. All those from Morelja,' 
hej^^rmg some propositions made by Scott,i;ara in. i^ood health, and althoug-h tjie" 
but what, is most probable is, that the Yankees have lost a good niany — tbedevil, 
Mexican army will tibandon the city, be with them ! — iaevenheless, things are 
taking all their train, that the enemy may.jn a bad state. : May God help us happily 
ocqupy;^it.:v4m^i^t)ei':^^i' Congress has outj. Manuelis stiU.^jn G ha pui tepee, and 
just said to me that there is a comniissiqn.jt appears that they do not intend to at- 
actually sitting pu this s,ubj..ect,pt th(^ tack that place, as they expend. f?om the 
lod^e^, n~,..if^yi Qi 9idj:^«uqi/H yvnUU^!^ Q.^Penon to the San AntoniQ iUpad, JWho 

.^l^'lje grea,te^f fi^^sternation >ejgns in know s wdiat is to.c^me of this ? Pray to 
the city. Some accuse Valencia, (amongst God to.deliver us. My dear Mother, it is 
otl)er^^ f^e charlart^n F. Q^rbajal,) others, impossible to give an idea of4 he present 
ai^i^tj)!^ /)^rger pa^-t, throw the. blame on state of Mexico. It is in the;i>iost deplora- 
Saut^,. Anna. The troopi^ .are , at, the ble cosiditipn. Only mournfu,! faces axe 
southern gate,, but. I perceive nmch ,cow - seen. ,i)1ay the Supreme Being" defer^d u^*f, 
ardixje, T(;ie city is full of dispersed, drun- Do not believe all you Jji^ea,!', ^or..i«any lies 
kej),^*^figuish, soldiers. Almostr all the are circulated. Mother, .jG^Q^^of Heaven 
hou«/es^arq, shpt, and in the coffee houses alone ca,n^as-ist us in oiir trouble. Thing2>< 
tln^ jS^^i|n^., pliiper^ €^re ^boasting ,a gre^it are in a terrible sjiate. His Divine Ma-, 
(le^lj.yYbpni^ W0,,savv,rn^t^i-pni, they battle ;jesty^}^^^^^ sent tl^e^e, devils to punish us for,; 
riejdwgr{^ud»j9-7^he ^^fffl Jg,;jtjl^^fipi;.|ilji^pur sins. ;•. ThesjC pre thp. t|iaiiy>;C>f our do-i » 
^^^ho6.. - ».:j<OJv -.i./7%:Kit iviih o ;cin^^i(;-^u^n'qls,.for ,o^ly (jy tlws coulA^^ 

i;^m\U^^.AiU}^\\)(i^^t.9iY^f^V^^^ have soscoj;P.ed,aip^tison, fcujVli 

airy by Gaudalupe, the object oF which it is- Vjery diilicuU for tht]j^][);tq<f;onquer x^^^ii 
you kuoiy as welltaBi J. ;: Xjbe .b^tt^Uon pf 1 a^aij;i..r,eit^i>V^^' WJ loY0'MM^aff'^fi|i^/i,t<;^, 
Toluciifqs»Jup,,last,liig)if ftpn^ the Pcwni r- rrtrr' :t^, f . : . r r? (family |>^Qpl<Q»),,,v) ihum o-' 
to occupy, ^n,<?fi«^f,th^,tgate» of.Ihc city, I ^,rjJ^-,y^A<:}ft* -n^ 



iB\kigti\ ^lifFimi a \oiing Lady.)- ■;'>:■' V « Do swt believe^* I'he- th6usan<1 lie^^^.^lfer 
U^^om M .p Mexico, Au;^. 2i;'^84^''' ffoo|j>5 nifty tell ami of which they boagt. 
^»^lll^ fkiMMol!>eU ^WH&k-l-'&miidejtm^'Yc^^^ that even li^^e^a thoiisanfLKies 

tlWybu would be ufiea«;y t)h OH'r'aWcoiint are lold coming only from the distance ol 
under present circuriistar^ces, I Write to our ii^xtn^^ighbor,— therefore how much 
relieve 'yodi* mind. Everythini^ is lost, m'ore' exaggerated they wit! be when trav- 
and I beheve there is no hope left for Us. elling- to you. Do not be afflicted, but 
Day before yesterday Valenciii had a hokr all you hear in quarantine. Recom - 
fi^ht with the enem^yrtj^ar-CohtTeras^'-^'fidirfe^ to (^\)<l and trust in him, 

it was supposed he was victorious ; but iiiid he will take care of us. MARIA, 
the next ' 'iiidi-ni n^ he lost everythit^^i "' F. S. Dear Uncie, I refer you to my 
Yesterday some naTional guards, at Sah ^Ist^r's letter for the news. I can add 
Antonio, hadva snraH fi&ht arid the Batl'its nothing;' to itJbut<-l?h<;j4; we, the Mexicans, 

t3p Hidalgo and Victoria ran IjIcecoHt- are -— , JUAN. 

af ds, i[is also did the cavalry-' and (Ife^-'lltli, (Thobiank isnofmiodinthc origcinai.^ , 

ar^d^d,; light infantry. !> ... .iiii I aiOiUifiu ; -• ' o^u?<^bnB sio sis^'v ^* ^r^^ 

'r^eBatt'ns of Hidalgo and Vic^a^sJi^^ ^^^Mi^M^- ^^<i 

pen^inicte and Bravo, were callbd Po{k?is|¥^^ f , f * I knOW ll(ll»i»hoW tO begin tO 

of tHl3B bare independent citizen:^ of Mexico.':; iTb€^TW.fir^ WrltC theSG fcW lineS ""ivino" VOSl thedes- 
T<^ (Kderedtbretii^ from San Automo and Ai^rip^, engage tiny 'bf tllis 4Infb^tlin^e cliv , the tbca- 
in the fight. The two last were at Churabuseo ;ind were ^ n c ^i j 'it r 

taken prisoners/those that were not killed. ■This is the:Mex- 'l'' ^^ ^^^^ ^^ '^^^ UiOSt homblo 01 Wars. 

lean account in many lottdry^ '{in^ii'^ '^iu ^-i:.!:!:, ^ ostefdav the cnemy and the division of 

This is a strani/ftftSimff ^i^'i^fes ^'i'^flg'^^^'"^ '" ^'''^c^ «'"""S 'he hills 
that our troops are -oocf for nothii.":' but « .Sf.\V,Ange., and maintained, on on(. 
tQ,boj»st; ,1 onlyheard theni cyy'^^'tAere a"d the other side, a most iiornhlo firing 
come tlie 'n^nkees;' overcome w!(h ter- frprvf,-!! o^cIock untd mglit. 
ror andrunning- a whole lea-ue without .Thi^.i^orning it was seen li.at \aien- 
stopping- to take breath -Ifrom whic'lVfaet '^'^}^ abantloned his position, and it is 
[have no hope that'' resistance' caii be ^''M^^f «':«,P'"'?""*^'s^itii the artdiery. 
ma'de' a( the g-aritas, as is intended: ton At_3 o'clock,?. M., we have hi»d anothiy 
will see wjlat will ' happen if a defence is "'®^' f^ispiUed actiou between ban An- 
attempted: ihey will all'.run and there %W ^»>-^ another little 'own called 
their history will end;'" ^"'.-""'^■^■^f;4%fe?« Arcos," [ChurubMsco ?] it was 

Ruperto saved himself,' as ;fie''fiad the ''Mw'.?e iosi, 1 lie troops retiring m djsaii- 
lucktoran away in company wilh th« '^*^'"' *" =H^* g'''^'^ of San Antonio Abad, 
Victorias, and he is now safe with his ^^™re. it is expected they will fight to- 
dear aunt and quite tranquil. - ""=^- morrow and the day after, probably, at 

ft appears impossihle that' lf2,0o6'meiphp P:dace. -, l, . ., , 

under the command of Scott should have ^' '® ^ ®"^'"® tofiave it said, that ten 

put to flight and entirely qm%d'S2,000 of '^"°"®<''"^''"*'" ^"'^^^^ ^ '^''y o^ '^^» 

our men. ■ Ci^ntfir, ' ^^' hundred thousand inhabitants, and an 

,T,, . , 01 . ,i,f ,,:,;.. -joi,' armyi»f thirty thousand merj»hatd«fetid- 

IX^m:::^T^^'f^'^^^'^ n apVars that there is n*i»4.er 

r, ;;:, > , " '"^i i^?d -rsriue bfiri yo tactics, nor acnins, nor fortune anWhg^ils. 
,,Itconfoi|nds reason. It js opposite, to ^.„,l,^,e ,„f^ f„r certainly his just ice^ins 
reason, 3pd almost incredible, but.p^yfii;, j^^reetl our ruimiui-o-u - ■-. J..»m^^> 
tn«e^^o(<?Pe^. Ihis misfo.rtuneot|i»s .flO,u; ju; nbaJ/ no Jfid) i-dnism 

remetly,^and the,attair must soon mk-M iw.nmno^ i^haa acv/ ^^luJABSiiWrfWlfejL 
we can do nothing. j„,7„ ._.I 1,^,^^ entered the city of 



20 

Mexico to vrituess the ignominy of my of Valencia [referrin^^; to the regular 
country Fear and consternation per- troops from San Luis PotosiJ. He moved 
vade the whole city. I do not fear the from Tacubaya, and encamped on the 
enemy^ who have suffered much, but I hills of the Mag-dalena, [near the village 
•havj^ no confidence jn our ^/i^per^^rf sol- of Contreras,] in order to impede the 
^A^fSy who are alt of them robbers, march of the enemy from San Augustin, 
ffkoft of them drunk, and may breakthrough the Pedregal, [i. e., broken vol- 
/^^pen, Jl^e houses. To-morrow this farce canic grounds, full of pointed stones, and 
muist be conduded. To-morrow I go to great chasms nearly impassable from their 
Tl^hupantle, to lament, in the bosom of own character,] to take pQsses.^ioo of 
my family, the misfortune of being a Santa Fe and Tacubaya. In this manner 
Mexican, and having children born in it appeared that everything for defence 
ibis J>ation of corruption and evil. , was perfectly well arranged. But on 

/// 11 M» G. ,- Thursday afternoon, [the 19th Aug.] we 

hirviio .. — heard an unexpected sound like that of 

[The letter ft well written, giving ihe usual account of ^„,,„^^ T ; * *i * * *l ♦^^ «r*U^ 

,. . ^ ^,, , . ~* ^ r 1 ♦* u » nu cannon. 1 mstantly went to the top oi the 

the defeat of Valencia, and the successful attack at Churu- , J ^ ^ 

buico, and concludes a^ follows :] ^«^s^' ^"^* distinctly saw B large volurne 

ut tujpd o) VKH j^^^^^^ j^ ^^^ of ^moke towards the villa-e of San Ge- 

- ^.^^.-l^^iafet, we ha^e loS the great- ^ommo near ban Ang^LFrom^the three- 

■LJd^ * r I ii c 4U A tion of the smoke, as i looked through 

es^ part of the flower of the army, and , , i .i . t; i^ > ^* 

, ^, ,, n *-ii Vt a Hass, 1 supposed that Vakncia was at- 

almost all of our artnlerv. However, we ^ ^. . ' . ^ ^ . , t- ^ « 

.„,: ,'U ^ * • w *u 1 tacking the enemy with a heavy hre o^ 

have stnl trom seven to eiojht thousand ^.., * ^ -^ i . *i u^ 

^ I . , ^r. ^i '. artillery, not answered by the enemy, who 

rtien, who are in charore of the garitas. . /' , , . , f ■, :. _ •'' . ^ 

rcitv entrances^ which if well nrotected ^^^^^^'' at dusk, thereby leaving me to be- 

^Clty entrancesj wnici,it we i protected, y repulsed. I therefore 

we could still gain a day ol glory for our ^, u i • j i ■ u i. ^ iu^ 

„,• ,. ^ ,u u i 1 . ^^ent to bed, indul«in^- hopes : opt the 

nation, routing the enemy, who have lost ' ^ >? ,f m- \- ^|. 

^,1 . in A, ' (• 1 .^ enemy was too astute to g-o to sleep. It 

nearly halt ot their jorces, and are now . v., , ,, • ? * ^ \ ^^„ 

♦ «*• 1 ..1. , i. r- 4,1 '4. IS said that the enemy intended to pass 

stationed Avithin gun-shot oi the gantas, , ^i ^ r^ / . ■ • u }^j^ 

at * » * * and San Angel. All I cm^,^ ^^f, way o Confreras but I believed 
bay; k,"fhHt .he events%f the day arc f'^' '^l'\' "f^ «J.1^^V '^'' afternpon 
:iZ - ti 1*1 • [the lOthlwas to make ar.econnpissance,or 

iticonceiYaDie, considering the immenFJe U , • ^ *i ? !,;(L t »u 

^,,_i r ♦ u u 1 I. Va encia's camp, as proved to be the 

number of troops we have brought n, • ,^' . \:^^:i^ T ,' v 

together, the instruction and discipline f,f-.^".^^»^,^i^^/^S^\l^^^^/ 

thiv hav; undergone, and the resources ^^^ ^^''^^l ''^^^ continued unUl morn- 

we 'have obtained wiJh great labor. Our ^- I ^i ''' 7 T%?- ' l iV th V T 

tHumnh aDoeared to be certain -* •^*^^^ thought I heard a distant sound.like that ot 

* ^^ . !• //o-ciofri thunder — I ascended to th^ roof of the 

"~ onliKi 'u!l hous^ at a quarter past six, ancl^,s^ 

yfw^^'^ ,;:- . ; : )i iteavy smoke immediately pverlthe; broken 

,,.^ • .. Jl^E^iqOj./Wgv, 21. i .ground of San Geronimp. It was pu^ ajc~ 

'M'.M.y Dear Jesusita :hrTyX^\n^yet passed tive fire of artillery, which lasted b\it|,\a; 

my imagination, nor could I have believed very short time, and I left the top of the 

tbiti should to day be obliged to give house under the firm belief, that the ene- 

y;QU [Pews so opposite to our hopes, with my had either been routed ojr repulsed, as 

regard to the re$i6tance which the enemy the position which Valencia occupied 

woul4 hfive to encounter. Vou will re- was very advantageous. But tvli at wa|' 

member that on Wednesday last, the my astonishment wh^n; at '^bofl^''^w 

division of San Luis', was under command o'clo(ik, the news spread Wat "yaliSiyiH' 



h^d heea surprised by the enemy's £|t- lencia metvvitli the enemy, who,| not 
larking him on all sides, and completely fulfilling' the imprudent hopes' ^ol'i our 
routing him. I would not at first believe chiefs, took the route,asoiigfit to have been^ 
it, and I cannot describe my feelings, expected, by San Angel, t6 the hills of 
when I foupdit to be the truth. I was Santa Fe, to gain possession of Chapulte- 
overpowejced by rag^ and, desperation, pec. Between this and San Angel, and 
No event has ever ci used me such an im- another called La Magdaler\(i\ begaiji ;a 
pression. At about 12 o'clock, an attack well disputed action, and if our ar^iy did 
was made at Churubusco^ the hacienda not acquire a, complete triumph, it could 
de Tlalpam and San Antonio, The firing not at aiiy rate be said, that they fought 
lasted until 2 P. M., more or les^, and the with a bad result* The pass was ixercelV 
result w/^Sr that our. ;troops were driven disputed by each of the forces, which re- 
and retired from tl]eir positions, which tained their position at night, Valencia 
positions had been occupied by thelargest for the time checking the advance of the 
portion of the national guards, and on eqemy. But, as the Americans are sbarp 
whom every, body had confided. The and industrious,they took advantage oJFtl>e, 
cause of th^ disaster js attributed to Va- darkness of the night, made more dark by.^ 
lencia^ who, it is $aid did not obey the heavy rains,and placed tb«irtroops,witlio^t 
orjprs of Santgi Anna, and attacked before being suspected, so as to open 51^ fire on the 
the proper time. According to publicopin- 20th on both Valencia apd San Apitonio. 
ion, Santa Anna was the oi^ly general who At5 A. M. his batteries cdtn^enci^ciaaac-^ 
be1]|aved well, for he sustained the fire of tive and terrible fire on the points re- 
th> enemy at Sii^n Antonio for two hours, ferred to, and Gen. Valencia (it is said 
and covered the retreat of the Polka's, disobeyipg the orders Orf Sant^^l^ji^a) 
[^<?|i<Z^me/^ soldiers,] who, b,ut for him, marched with his force agqjnst ,tKeWff!*?Ut. 
wii>uld have.been destroyed, pluni^ipg the was entirely routed. [The , writer gi>f^ 
wholecit^m grief and niourning, Santa the rumors, a^ they reached th,e;€,ity-T?t, 
Anna was obliged to retire to the city, Qen. V. was attacked in hisqamp,and di^' 
amt the enemy occupied the. positia^s. not advance}. Gen. Santa 'Apna>!ept: to 

The battalions of Victoria and Hidal- assist him, with all those that were at hU!;. 
go,'[the Polkas,! entered the city without command [at hand]. But t^ie enemy had" 
lops, and that of independence ^yas^cap- placed itself so advantageously, that the 
tured. To day we have no ne\ys,. but I camp was surrounded by a circle of fire, 
suspect that the enemy is arranging his go constant that our troops lost spirit, 
plans to takethe city, where wc have more and accustomed by bad luck to run, they 
forces il^aitt^eim^n^s:^^;^,^^ disorder that by 12 

^iU -io ciiool "7 ^ o'clock, the camp was in the hands of the 

ii! rliiv/ n^H ^^Exico, Aug. 21, 1847. enemy, and the few troops we had left, 

*; "^ Heartsick, and filled with jndigna- entered the capital at .3 9?clpck P. M., . 
tipn, I w^preparing to give yQu,by mail, with Gen. Santa Anna, followed by the 
news of the fatal rout pur army, had suf- enemy? within gun shot of the fortifica- 
fered, when we had the satisfaqfipn tp re- tions, at the gate of San Antonio Abad — 
ceive your fevor, and in answer to which from w^hence they returned, when SQi}ie_ 
1 will merely give you the miast essential shots were fiXQ,A from the fortification^.!^ 
particulars, and true, leaving for the pre- Trains of artillery, cannon, ammunition^, 
sent 3i))a|(l. iigf^^fgrf^ ^^^ M%ftf J#^iiP^- : — ^^^ ^!^^t belong to pur ar^ny fell into ' 
^^^^* ( -jiiLi' if. ifu.ion r i07r v"^ i^ : the hands of the enemy, for the dispersion 

Qn the evening of the 10tb, Gen. Va- was horrjd. Ourlogg in,d^?icl» ^vounded 



% 



^ 



uj ut. -rea(er:'^M-^ymi''^ This is tVif^'feilJ&fttmi^' ul nrtjseoi'pr uio 

Wa^'^df^ifiressioll ndidng tis i^^ ttjfe" fas^r* Mexicans, riiatlbett^i^sS^^yf^ 

ionJ"^tPhe jlccount I have giveri you fi^c^- ahfiappiiy arb MexicaA^^ ^'It'iy^not Wife 

celved feiWpja.ctnv ,v/hb wa? amoh"- lh« ^*^^^^^ ^^^ the flitiire J a n.'ition oi' ei^xt. 

^ijsV)ersed aW\Ss/a'ii">y(Vwitnefes tdan'WrniU sBiils cfominie'red (i/f'^r Dv 

"';The^ en-nij nrp ^%{i";aVttij^''^^^ ^'bt vve have deserved cbnipassibn among na 
tUeH^Hy/'p'ossessed'b'f Chiiiiil^dse^ Some tions, we howrherit opprobrium, t am a 
o'f-^diir't^bops ni-e at K! Nino .f^erciulo lia Mexican; and if God does not deprive 
Pi(^(/ai)^^nd the rest'aVe fe 'barrhcic?, ancl^^e of hfe, I shall have ta outlive t|iis 
i^ince'fe'(5'cibck yesterday thtre has been humiliation, and witness tb-morrovv, p^r- 
a*^'pr()foiin'd silence, t cannot tell ivhy /^«ps to-morrow itself— -the destruction of 
(h6; enemy h^ds hot entered the capital^ ohehalf of the capital and the occupa 
nor why, if it is still to be defeiided, that tion by our conquerors; and not to be 
our tro6ps have retired t6 their barracks peVmitted to fight for its defence for fear' 
4c)Th Hvhich they have hot moved all day! of an6ther ignominy. This is a most des- 
The firing has entirely ceased. The en- perate situation ! It is three years the 
enrry are at the gates arid our troops are Hth of th^ present month since f entereii 
in their barracks;' the one ' advances no public life, and I hayb suffered all tbatyou 
fufther, the other makes no movemeht ai^e aware of, but I did not know what it 
foi^- defence. It is not known that a ces- was to ,suflfer till now. Who can doubt, 
satio'n'of hostilitiBs has been agreed' upon, that this is a chastisement from Heaven V 
In this state of -things we are all stupi^ It is rare that the Host is exhibited, biit 
tied. You hear nothing ip the streets but in the.fight of the 19th[,and until 9 o'clock 
the. question, what has ; happened?! Till^atn^^ Host Was shown in 

tlVj^iivf '-the fault on Santa A;nna. Tls the church of Mexico. The temples were 
sard'Ke throws the fault on Valencia, acJ-^J-^^, of, iVlexicahs/ praying to God for a 
CLisinu; him of disobedience of ordei\s.'^ ''triumph of our arms. The day following, 
^'*''*'!The only news we have at present l^hi 7 A,'M.,to 9 P. i\l., it was entirely^ 
is^ihaf^t appears that we int(^hd to de- difTerepf spectacle ; the streets were jfulY; 
fenH the capital; and that Vve'e^cj3ect every of soldier^, bathed in blood, who, iverq.. 
moment that '^jthci enemy wiii begin to continually rending the air 'w^th^.^tW^^ 
b6mbard' itl'^ If *thl^^ Should hapcyen, you 5'^^es/ and lamentations, minglecr" wit^*| 
can figure to yOuPself how inuth would words of insolence for their bad fortune,^ 
be;b\ifiered' by this beautifi>.l city atllF ^its^^s they crawlcci to their doors or the 
inftoitants— andinthe'end we shall' lfaW^iospit;j|1i''G be seen, with lit- 

to suffer the hamiliation pi witnessing the ter^,"cah^yii1i^-th6 sever wotindbd who 
entrbrtce ofour conquerors, fo^.X'rlS not cduld 'rim 4r'aveF &ti ' 'fd6\:, and fmna their 
pet'ceiyc^/fhe smallest; hope's 6f ajt^iutiiph. beds 6f'*^anguish''%V?is" heard the most 
We 'hav'e no artillery— iVo'tiave^ho trobps I'^cn'rt^^chd'ih'^'' complaints, whiclf were 
— ^\V^ hd^e liothitig. -Qiir' 'ai^rtJV't^n' atf^ with the shrieks of vVohieri who 

It isTiecGSS'ary to derend'tho*(^h]i{fai"A']t i?s^ l^^te they were ignorant. The church stdp-' 
ln-^i^feWfe'ricf:/fetlntsV bccadsc' thc^VfaWonftl 'P^^'^ '^^(1 most'elevUted poirit^ were ci'oVvd- 




.1^ 

t)a,J>y^/^(Vl^ber^,:at,p^Rpie who still re- incapacUy. Santa ^ ^^jia^^is no^^ ^the 
maineJ in their po3itiqnsHfter witnessing object qI pubhc. execraiiQ^H,- lnpgenp^ra| 
thejssne of tiie combat^ their countenan-q|)inia^ is, t'haV his' e^^^ 
c^^^die pictures of cpnstqrn?Uipnv,Ouri so^^ nia h};^ ; jvt^j 

the coqabaj^some were innnoveably trans- died' by the sido of that general; !ij>()ri^ 
iixqd,. Mihers were violently . startled by Avhoni Sania Anna liirows the blamcyjf 
'c;|;inof)^^.soidiers were seen running with- all,, and.'has' even said ib at whereve^^^e 
Wn^uskets, and Polkas (national guards) imds him he wliUiavc liini si|ot. ^^\^ ^^,^ 
wrapped m their blankets, their: heads Thos;3,ibit j^hi^Ml^ 
cqye'rcd with slouched hats. What gaye that nothing 'was done but l)y brcler _o]fcj 
the last sad colojaiig to'this picture was^ Santa Anna ; Jh^itlie would not;altqw;ihe 
the,vetiring of sojdiers tQ their barracks Jeast deliberation, from which it resultec^ 
ii^^tj^Cj evening, aboyt one eigl:^th of their ihatBravov^puld not oiler even ndvicj^^^ 
oj^iginal number,. some without cartridge and gave no ordeji;^ in ihe matter, so ifie^ 
h,o,X€S, some without arjn^,,, and all be-;disordeE;he9aii]e fj-jghth^ 
d^phed with mudfromheadtoiboit. Ttiey, /tliihappy country 1 unhappy ourseivesr 
ni^l^t.befpre, prayers were offered up in ii^ in tl^ee^^^ we haye to receive in this' 
behalf of each soldier in particular and ca pi l^Fosir vanquishers. One idea gives^ 
tor the nation in general ; but the follow- me (;oiisofation-"-according to what I have 
ing -day we wit^essed the catastrophe, been tqjd, there are only/ six thousand, 
Hqw paiqiul to say this! what hunian Yankees Mt,/nnd although we yet hpre 
pqjfer can oppose such a. plague? j-^^.-^jinpr^ than twelve thousand,,! wsllbecon- 

When I saw .the Divinity exposed the/fe^U tQ lose, anothef Jjatile, if we have' 
previous/ night, I con<:oiyed hopes, be- one, qs we shall lo::i8, for our soidiers wilf 
c^ae.})i,|a\Y w^ Ipoked .^iO iielp ;more rao^,H^^ more Yanke^' 

p<)werftjl than any recourse of the enemy,; will be killed, only lour jhoosandwifr 
1 ji^ve seen the result, and this forces me '*emain, and with iliese order cannot be 
to;i|M)!iev^ that ni§ nothing less than the kept in Mexicd. We are in the ia^t 
rhastisement oif Heaven, and this is my struggle,, otl the drowned. • 'V^hat/, a 
reason for sayings as I have said, that all shame Ijiijoa MiC^UEL J^l-niu 

r^gistance is useless, although I judge it r aiadlo f'^JcrA^uui bmi '(^nnoiuw -lit^df 

neicessary for th« decorum of the nation. < ^nodB I'- 3. ■ -.: ' ! O' T ri tni^rfi iuo 

The description which I have attempted ^ .ynrm < ^^W-^:i^^ War.) ,,^j ^.K ,q 
to give, though sorrowtui in the extreme Aili|us;t;19, >at'9 A. ul\l%f>a d^ii^^^ ciiOud-Q^H 
lor a Mexican, is nevertheless exact; and smoke was seen in the hacitodanof Ssbv 
I have given it against my \vill,for I woiild Antonio, caused by the fire of our ai^ijbi) 
have wished: to save you pain, but you lery, directed against a column of the enoki 
requested the exact truth, and 1 will con- my who were s^to^hng' against them> The 
rinue to advise you of what may happen, enemy retreated and took therroutie hf^'^r: 
To-day all is tranquil 5 1 hope in God, San Angel. ¥a!encia is situated withh 
that thiaica{itei.aii9y iqotrsbaibllowed by a his division on; the hills of Contrerag^.r 
storm. ^^«h'c|'r{ ui tod .ymiiUcJUAN G; fi. o;?! lie- route by. San. .An^el,] and H--i 
■ iu] ii--n\^'yyi vrf^n vodj i^flbouti).l.^^o'clock, P. JV|Ai, f;he^.^ 
Mexico, August 21st, 1847?.? ijSring his artillery; aniodrjtsinwed without f 

tsHjfodf ^Hld;."^; I likm^iseis^iid; yon ceasing until half-past 4^, sosi^times /sqA 
a di^fy of the events fioin the l9th to ihisrapidly: thai: we counted eisjbtt shotsj^pfefe/-' 
date, by. which ypu will see., Uiepiiiablo minute, although nmre : coio«i©nil)yJtiG»iil|jyv7 
situation in which WQiaro; iplaced, if TOtfoujMors^fiMaio.A^^^^ 
bjvbadiaithv^i least, byr^tliiG most visible ablerintttnor^^cjtm«rto.th(iioi^vl;<it wasBajitl <; 



that tile eueniv had taken six pieces ofing ali oP-'fiur' ^liavemehlsf fr6in vUfW 
artiliery from Valencia, a nijitter impossi- hacienda of Coapan, detaiched a column 
hie to believe, because, from the roof of of about three thousand men on our left 
the house, we cpuld see that, far from wing, with the object of flanking lis ail d 
retreating, our troops had charged upon afterwards besieging San Antohio, but 
the enemy, who was situated in a lower we pushed the move^rtient of our troops, 
position, and to appearance, in a hollow, in spite of the confiisio/i, ^o that the 
and was not at first to be seen, and the enemy only gained his object in a very 
i}()sition waSf only, known by the smoke of small deo^ree, interceptinitr a smair pdr- 
his ti. in^. , • •; , . ^, ! ,, r T-,,,t' ^^ ^^^ troops and capturmg twd 

!20thV Between 6* and a quarter after, pieces of spiked cannon tliat were left iW 
A.M., the firing commenced in the same the hacienda, where, in a very fe#^ 
place as yesterday, tlie artillery slowly moments after the battalions^ of Hrdalgo 
but the musketry sharply, very sharply, and Victoria had left it, there wie^eheaTVl 
It was heard perfectly well in the main the musketry of the enemy, not of t^ic 
plaz;a, and sounded like the rattle of a column that had been detached, but cif 
drtim. At ]0, A.M., we received the another body that came directly do#f^ 
news that Gen. Valencia's brigade, which the road, and soon took the place. ' ' 
had sustained itself the previous day, had Following the retreiit of oOi* tr^b^b^^l'' 
been flanked and attacked in front, and we came to the bridge, where Jj^^nitfi 
on both sides, after first cutting oft^ his Anna was found fortifying himself with 
retreat, and of consequence he was com- activity, and where we' were united #ith 
pletely routed and dispersed, except two the brigade of Perez, and we heard the 
hundred and fifty prisoners, who remained firing at Churubusco, vVhich point was 
in the hands of the enemy, and twenty defended by the battalions of Indeptm- 
tHi:ee pieces of cannoi^ \ . dence and Bravo, who gave u p very soon 

rK.r 4^u .1 '^a'- 1 and probably are prisoners. The ewenly 

jLIJ»(iTE»—^here were over a thousand prisoners.] ii*^- ^ » »i 

advanced against the brioge, where the 
•' At 'il o'clock the dispersed began to firing was maintained about an hoUr, but 
arrive, all covered with mud, some within the end we lost, with a great sacri- 
their uniforms and muskets, others with- fice of men and an immense quantity of 
out them, and from that time till about 1, ammunition there and Ht Churubusco. 
P.M., the wounded continued to arrive. From this till ha If past 2, the battalions 
some in litters, a^ing mercy of Hea- of Hidalgo and Victoria arrived, sun-^ 
ven, and others on foot, with their burnt, tired and hungry, their feet all 
corpBe-hke countenances still dropping blistered and in desperation, as they had 
blood, -i i'J inuulo:> j; j^nii;; i. b^>i )ji;i> .< brought in theiV ^tfris ^i thet' hiftl carried 



^ • "r v^ 1 .............. ., 



A^ s(Jon '"jIs"' Santflt' J Arma^ received iheni out.' * i:nj>rv >■>(.; :>>Jr -4 

notice of the defeat of Valencia, (whom, ^^j, uc..c./i^^rMl;^J;hML^i^^\k^ 
it lA said, he might have aided to advan- not firo a shot] )- ?h 1 : icjpa/nj ;-,i Ih; /nt) 
tage, but did not, because he said he had They had'had ain'opportuniitjv'not^niy 
not ordered' Valencia to engage in fight,) to annoy .the enemy, but to repulse him, 
he ordered the cauip at vSan Antonio to but they never received an order to fire 
be. niised, and begin the retreat on at all. ' ^ 

Mexico- Here the disorder began, the Our troops v<^ercJ at night at the gate^i 
soldiers in some corps were altogether of La Viga, Candailaria a»ul tViilo P^r- 
witllwut /chiefs, »nd only employed them- dido. Some have goiie to Chapulleptjc, 
solves in taking away the cannon from the others to their barracks. ^ n tioii • 

batteriesr The enohfjy, who wqs observ- The eneirty i^emaiiied in possession of 



25 

the haciendas Portalis, Santanita and down by Santa Anna for his relief, but 
other towns of the neighborhood. they had means of communication still 

It is said that our loss in killed, open, and Valencia a^ked assistance of 
wounded and prisoners, is about four Santa Anna, in order to resist a new at- 
Ihousand men. The loss of the enemy tack from the enemy. Gen. Santa Anna 
is said to be five thousand 5 we will seereiired with his divis^ion to San Angel, 
the truth in time. [four or five miles,] quite satisfied, as he 

[NoTE.-Thc American los. was, altogether, a nttle over ^Xprese^cd hifflsclf, that he had SaVed the 

one thousand.] republic, forwhich he was cheered by the 

Aus^ust 21st.---This is a day of the troops, who remained at San Angel • but 
most "complete confusion 5 friends are he, not finding" a convenient bed at San 
looked for— some are found, some are Angel, continued on, and slept at Churu- 
not.; of course affliction and tears are busco. On Friday morning, quite early, a 
universal. It is said there is an armis- new attack was made on Valencia, whose 
tice for forty^eight hours, for the purpose <^amp was carried by the bayonet, and he 
of burying the "dead and collecting' the 'o^t his artillery, and his divisionwas either 
wounded, arid there is some talk about kiijed, taken prisoners or dispersed—but 
propositions of peace. Some battalions Valencia, of course, saved himself. ^ Santa 
have retired from the gales to their quar- Anna left San Angel so late in the 
ters, and although I understand nothing, f^o^ning, to return 10 Valencia, that he 
I understand this less. heard of Valencia's defeat on his way 

The fault is generally laid upon Santa fhere to him. Every one agrees that Va- 
Anna; all are incensed, mad against him, ^eficia committed a great fault in not 
even his most admitted friends. I believe obeying the orders of the commmander- 
ihe devils will take every ihing, and now 1 in-chief, ^^^^ Santa Anna should have 
have not a doubt the Yankees will enter «^^ited all his disposable force to assist 
the, city, although it is said they have only Valencia, in order to destroy the common 
six thousand men. enemy. Various reflections occur upon 

— the conduct of Santa Anna, who has given 

Doings and Results on Thursday «?2^ orders that Valencia shall be shot wher- 
Friday, 19th and 20th Aug, ever he may be found. It is said that 

On Thursday Gen. Valencia, to impede Valencia answered the order to retire or 
the progress of the enemy, took a position avoid a fight with the enemy — that he 
with his division on the hills of the haci- thought his position advantageous, and as 
enda Alsado, [alias Magdalena- — Contre- a Mexican and as a soldier he could not 
ras, &.C.,] where he fought until dusk. Va- obey the orders of a traitor and a coward, 
lencia had twenty or twenty-live pieces &.c. (fee. About noon a division of the 
of artillery, and the Americans four enemy approached, which, it is supposed 
mountain pieces. Gen. Santa Anna v/ent was under the order of Scott himself, to 
to the aid of Valencia between four and attack San Antonio. Santa Anna ordered 
half-past four in the afternoon, with four the few pieces of heavy ordnance he 
or five thousand men, but he advised Va- had there to be spiked, and retired with 
lencia to avoid a fight; but he, thifiking the light pieces to Churubusco, where a 
his position advantageous, and wishing to bloody engagement took place, and it is 
encounter the Americans, disregarded the said that the Americans lost a great many 
advice. During the combat, which com- men. Santa Anna directed the defence 
menced at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, of that point with the brigade of Perez, 
the forces under the command of Valen- (the 1st, 3d, and 4th light infantry, and 
cia were separated from those brought tfee 11th of the line,) the Batt'ns of Na- 



26 

tional Guards, Independence and Bravo, resistance.* If we compare the deeds of 
the Piquet of St. Patrick and various our soldiers with their boasting and fan- 
other corps. The Piquet of St. Patrick, faronades, as they are daily pubhshed 
it is said, was almost totally destroyed. even in the government journal, one is 

ashamed, and the few Mexicans who are 

(This Piquet, so called, was composed of deserters from the abfOad Will hide their flCCS 
American Army, and about 80 of them were taken prisoners -rrr .1 .■ " '' *^ * 

and are now under trial for their lives.) >> ell, ttieR, WO ROW haVC the Valiant 

General-in-Chief, President of the Repub- 
It is not known where the Batt'ns of He, (S^c. &c. ^^c, again in the palace, and 
Independence and Bravo are. The light a great many troops in their quarters, 
infantry and the 11th regiment kept up We will see what he intends to do with 
at the comraencementa heavy fire, but on the remainder of the army, without mo- 
the approach of the eneaiy within pistol r«^^, without honour or valor, but yet 
shot they fled. Nothing is known of Pe- with a great many ignorant generals, oili- 
rez. At about 5 o'clock in the aflernooii cers and leaders, corrupt and cowards on 
Santa Anna entered this place with a the field of battle, but great talkers and 
large body of cavalry and with nearly ail boasters, only fit to dress for show in their 
the brigade of Perez, the Batt'ns of Na- gaudy uniforms. 

ticnal Guards, Hidalgo and Victoria, " 

which never burnt a single cartridge-and Mexico, August 21, 1847. 

various other corps, i^anta Anna went ^-.7,^ .^^ ^^ ^ ^ \^ ^ 

to the Palace and the troops to their ^f!;^ Nf^^er-Forgotten and Beloved 

quarters. The re.uR of the actions of fff«:Tl^«!f/^t^ ^f'' J^^* \g'-«'»^ 

this day has been the loss of 45 pieces of %ht with the 1 ankees,which cost a heavy 

artiliery-of the dead, wounded, prison- "^^ ^,^ "^^^^ accursed enemies; neverthe- 

ers and dispersed we have no certain i„. !ess ne d.v.s.on ot Valenc.a was routed. 

formation. An army of twenty thousand To-daj who knows what will happen ! In 

men and more than 50 pieces of artillery f''^*"- ^j^^' J"^" "'7 "«' ^^ a'^™*'''; ^ 

(I speak of .hose that were used) ly^ f^^- ^A.^n.^geoi these, mom^nis to y,v,te 

u . J I 11 c • ^ by to-day^s mail, that you may not miss 

been routed by another of nine or ten -\ ,, * i -' "^ „ rf. r^ 

,, 1 -ti * ru A 'i\ . a letter and j^rieve over it. 1 he Great 

thousand, without artillery, and without ^ . ,^, 

\ ' \\ 11 V-! ^ u 4 liemff must hate US. 

knowin"' the "-round, and while w^e had r\ c ^ ♦ u u u * ^c 

^, 1 * r 1 ,• . •,: One 01 my feet has been hurt, and for 

the advantai^e of selectmo- our positions. ^, ^ / , • ■» • 

,^ . ^, V *i ^ I ^ that reason 1 have remained in my quar- 

it is then clear that our army does not. , . , ... •* • ^ ^ 

T . n , ,. « \ ^ers, but you need not tear, as it is not ol 

deserve the name ot soldiers, and • ' - i i u • i * • j 

it were better that it did not exist.- '^P™^*^' ^r^.h*""^ ^'^^^ 

rr.1 • •. r If as my horse tell With me* 

1 he incapacity 01 our generals is aston- ^ -^ r *i 1 1 u- i, ^u 

• , . , * ^ " . . , in consequence ot the blow which the 

ishmcr, but even more so their cowardice, ^ \ c \j \ ■ ^ a- - • u 

. V \ c.\ . . r*i J]- greater part or Vaiencuvs division has 

and that 01 the ijreater part ot the soldiers; ^ ^ i -^ • ♦! u* .u ♦ ♦ ui 

,,. , . ^ ' -a ' sufTered, it is thought that trouble is 

although they are very brave in tiie com- . . * i .u- u fU ivr ^; 

• • X- 1 X I-.- *^ T. • 1 cominfi^, but 1 think the Mexicans are 

mission of brutahties. it is said, among ..,, .='' , , .. *,,. , ., 

,, . . ^, , n , 'a ^ still in good resolution. Althouorh the 

other things, that an uniortunale Anieri- ^^ . ^ n * ivi • -^ a * 

iv ^ X 1 r I 1 * iankees will enter Mexico, it does not 

can oilicer on horseback approached too ,^ ., ^i . ^, • ■,. i *i . c 

I * r .u 1 . • • * u- tollow that they will be the conquerors of 
close to one ol the batteries against his .,_ ^^ . \. rp. ,_„„.' ..^ ^, • 

.,,,., . . ° , the Mexican nation. J hrough the mis- 

wi I his horse having, ran away ; when ^.^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^j, ,^^ ^^,j . ,^ ^^^„j^^ ^^^ 

w.thm pisto shot he was wounded m Urn .^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^J ^^,^ ^.^^ ^^^^.^ 

ioot, and Icll crymg out tha he surren- ^J^^^,; ^^. ^j^^ ^^^^. ^^ ^^^^^ ^^,, 

dcred *, but tnis did not avail him, he was -' 

murdered without being able to oppose * Thia was Major MiUi?, ISth Regiment of infantry. 



27 

the whole nation will rise in a mass and {From a Member of Congr§ss.) 

destroy them. Mexico, August 21, 1847. 

Cati'ta, God permits things to go to a Loved Friend : —The 19th and 20th 
certain point in order to undeceive us, of August have been to Mexico days of 
but he afterwards sends consolation to mourning and ignominy, as we have lost 
the afHicted. This Eternal and Incom- j^ g^^^at many vdiant Mexicans, and our 
prehensible Being will protect us and immense army has been routed by a 
send us comfort. I only i)eg you will not handful of adventurers. We are all cho- 
afflict yourself, and pray Flim to favor me i^j^g with grief at such a catastrophe, and 
and preserve me. Salute all my relatives ^g fear the sad consequences of the tri- 
and friends, and you and mv children umph of the enemy. The enemy has not 
receive the love I always have for you. yet'entered the city, but they are at our 

^' very gates, awaiting the answer of our 
P. S. Say to Senora Petra that government, who has already entered into 
Andrew escaped in safety, and that the negotiations for peace. What will follow 
trooip to which Francisco belonged did this negotiation, God knows! What does 
not fight, and also to pray to God for the United States want, who knows? 
them and for me 5 also the troops of Congress cannot assemble, nor will it as* 
Morelia did not go into action, and so far semble ; therefore I shall go to you in a 
they are all well and God will favor us. few days, as I am anxious to see you and 
Do not afflict yourself, Catita, God pro- my family. Work for your country. Do 
tects the just and will bring us through in net cease your labor. Do what you can 
safety. to protect the public institutions, the arts, 

„ , ,rp, ^, , , N sciences, industry and agriculture. 

Private. (This was written on a separate slip.) ' J &' *^ t T> 

Catita — I will do everything not to ex- 

pose myself to danger, and if permitted I Mexico, Aug. 20, 1847. 

will try to find means to go to La Piedad 

or C . Be prepared to send for your ^^ E., U Member of Congress.) 

uncle. Do not show this little piece of Much Respected and Esteemed 
paper to any one. Destroy it, and keep Friend : — To-day after the complete 
this to yourself alone. But if you wish to rout of the brilliant northern division 
see me, 1 will send for you from the place under the command of Valencia, who 
to which 1 may go. Be prepared, and I was posted in the tower of San Geronimo, 
will write to you under the name of G. P. (Contreras,) I hastened to the city to 
or under that of my god-mother, Da. M. see what I should do with my house, 
for so I proposed to you. During the day I heard of the death of 

Guadalupe Pedrigan. The battalions of 
Victoria and Flidalgo abandoned San 

(This letter shows the confidence of the Mexicans before Antouio WlthoUt entering iuto the fight, 

the fight.) but those of Independence and Bravo 

Mexico, August 19th, 1847. sustained themselves well at Cliurubusco 

until they were abandoned. Ine enemy 
* * * Judging from the enthu- is ^ow at the Hacienda Portalis. The 
siasmandpositionsof our troops, and our division under Rangel was formed this 
good fortifications, we hope for a com- morning in the Plaza, and ordered to 
plete triumph lor the Mexicans, as the ^arch and take possession of a place 
enemy's force is much inferior to ours in called La Viga. Gen. Tornel, with many 
numbers, staft^ofiicers, have gone to the same place. 



28 

Gen. Santa Anna just passed here with fortunate results of the battles of the 
Gen. Lombardini. The troops have 19ih and 20th, and of tlie misfortunes of 
been ordered to their quarters but have our Mexican nation, 
left the cannons at the garitas, prepnred Gen. Valencia was pushed near the 
to meet ati attack in the morning. * * factory of Mngdalfiiia, where he was 

* The invaders will certainly enter the attacked by 10,000 Americans on the 
city on Monday. 19th, who endeavored to force their pas- 

<Another letter ofthe 31st. August, says:) sage that Way against 4,000 Mexicans, 

The brilliant and selected division un- **'"! ^^^^ ^f .pf "• ^^'^^ cai^'f- to the 
derGen. Valencia, who occupied an ad- ^^''®.^'^"^:'2;:^ Valencia, taking position 
vantageous position on the hills near San ^" '^'^ '^'^ ~^ ."^^^ .^a'"", results would 
AngeV, near the factory of Magdale.ia, *f ™ occi;rred that day which happened 
had a skirmish with some of Scott's *'^^'"°™"g .^^''T'"^' The enenny yes- 
troops, who attempted to force their way ^^'''^^^ raorning by a decided and bold 
to Tacubaya on Thursday last. The fire ^'^^'^P' ^"Jf possession of Valencia's 
was sustained well on our part until dark f!«mp"f Magdalena, completely routing 
without losing an inch of ground. But '^™ and takmg possession of the greatest 
on Friday morning the Americans, who P^""' ''^rl'^'^'^Vu ^'" ^o" must bear 
were keen, attacked Valencia in the front '" """'' ^.^^' '^''^ ^}'^ •,''oops ^hich came 
and on both flanks, forced their way into ^f '^"' assistance the day previous b^en 
his camp, routing him completely, and "'"•"^'i'^'^ "i^f " '^"'^''^ K'*^*' ''een difFer- 
remained in possession of his artillery \"^- Magdalena, once m possession of 
and all his munitions of war. I cannot ^''*' /V"*'T''"'' ^^7 >mmediately pro- 
account for this result, and I do not give ^^^'^^'^ «"'', f "«f «' """^ '"am body of 
jou any further facts, for I prefer to ig- ""'^.""!5™^/'-'''! -Mexicans, who were m 
nore them * * * » * their fortifications, and only listened to 

* * The battalions of Victoria and "^^ musketry of the enemy, as they had 
Hidalgo abandoned St. Antonio, and were '"^ f ''"^/T f '^'^ ^'^e"?-, We only waited 

not in the fight. They arrived in the f'^'' ^^^ ^"^^^'^^''S^^ °f t'^*''^'""'''^'''^' ^u,*^ 
city without Toss, only suffering from fa- O""" 'roops were put to flight m terrible 
tigue. Gen. Salas, Pedrigan and Fron- confusion, and it is remarkable what a 
tera are prisoners. «.'"^« "^ fear extended throughout our en- 

Santa Anna sustained a heavy fire in ^^ ''"'.'"y- This circumstance enabled the 
his retreat,causing the enemy great injury, Americans to take possession of our for- 
but thereby protected the retreat ^f tihcations with the greatest ease, and 
the troops. It is also said that Gen. '^"'"^ "'' '"^^ '''*'. ^^^•^""'''^"'^'"'^f [P?'k^« 
Rincon iL prisoner. ^^^f ^^ "^""^ '« ^° •'enowned, behaved 

" * * We have yet a respectable ^''^ ^" .gn^om.ny lamentaWe to rdate. 
bo3y of troops in Mexico, but Gen. Scott „-,,., , , ■ ,- ,u . \ 

•^ ' . . ^ . , (Uf the reported armistice, the writer says :) 

has allowed an armistice in order to al- n is supposed that it will be favorable to 
low Congress to meet and consider the peace, hut you must be well aware, that 
subject of peace. There is no telling should it be effected, of which I have no 
what wiH happen to-morrow. doubt, it will be a disgrace to the Mexi- 

-_ can people. E. G. 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. . - 

L. K.--My Dear Uncle : My heart Mexico, August 21st, 1847. 

is oppressed with grief, and I can give SenoriM Bna. M, de J. M. : 
you but a very slight sketch of the un- My dear Young Lady :—Y eBier day I 



I 



29 

arrived at home without accident, having To-day about live thousand of the uis- 
escaped the dangers of ihe fight by privi- persed have been collected, and we have 
lege, or because the Yankees took pity now ahoot twelve thousand men in arms, 
on us, for, on leaving our camp, such was An armistice, &.c. &.c. &.c. 
the disorder and confusion, that if the — ^ 

enemy bad attacked u* wi(h whips, not a August ^1, m^^- 

single one of us would have been left. Old Man .'—Although I nm a. ragvdor, 
The generals gave orders and the camp- (a civil officer,) still I resolved to go. to 
women screamed, the mules would not the fight, as I could no longer remain m 
pull, the soldiers did not wish to retreat the city taking care of disorderly women 
without fighting, and General Bravo, our and drunkards, I determined to see the 
commander, would not allow it, and at faie of my unfortunate country y conse 
last we escaped, saving some part of our quently, on Tuesday last, I received an 
munitions, but losing much, which could order from the Minister of War and Gov- 
not be removed. The Yankees under- ernment directing me to join General 
took to outflank us, but meeting with the Alcorta as his aid-de-camp ', and on 
division, they commenced a fire. We Wednesday morning I went to the 
stood on the defence, and they certainly Penon resolved to endure all the pnva- 
through pity took the other road, all the tions of a campaign, and to see in what 
time accompanying us on the left. Hardly I could serve my country. The enemy 
had we reached the bridge at Churu- presented himself on Thursday morning 
busco, when the artillery fire was com- before us inorder to allow their engineers 
menced at that place. General Santa to make a reconnoisance of our positioil, 
Anna arrived there at the moment we but he did not like the patato^ and oh 
passed, and ha ordered such of the artil- Sunday night Santa Anna heard that the 
lery as was convenient, should be turned enemy had certainly taken the route 
upon the enemy, and that we should con- towards Tlalpam (San Augustin.) On 
tinue [to retreat!] On the way we met Monday morning at 9 o'clock we cora- 
the division of General Perez, which menced our march towards the same 
afterwards engaged the enemy, and while place, (by the city) and on Tuesday, after 
the action continued we reached the city, an examination of the place, we saw 
We found Mexico in the greatest conster- we could not make resistance there, 
nation, perhaps more for our sakes than and it was resolved that we should take 
for the events of the morning, for I saw up our position at San Antonio. That 
that our presence produced the greatest same afternoon the Yankees arrived at 
joy, and we were even cheered when it San Augustmat 2 P. M. We proceeded 
was seen that we had not met with any with the greatest activity to make prepa- 
loss. rations for resistance, and ordered the 

It seems impossible that in the space heaviest pieces of ordnance to be brought 
of six hours, eight thousand men should from Peiion to San Antonio, and we pro- 
have been destroyed, of which not the tected our right Hank as much as possi- 
eighth part were killed. But our troops ble, fearing that the enemy might take 
scarcely saw a movemenc of the enemy advantage of us in that quarter. We 
before they fled, and that without the made ditches and redoubts, and General 
possibility of stopping them. The bat- Perez' brigade composed of 4000 Infantry 
talions of Bravo and Independence were and 700 horse, of the hussars, who were 
attacked in the convent of Churubusco, at Jalapa, was ordered to go around 
and taken prisoners, and it is thought that towards Coyoacan (near San Angel.) 
Gorostiza is of the number. The 5th brigade, composed of Victoria, 



30 

Independence, Hidalgo and Brafos were Weil, old genUemPui, instead of march- 
ordered to march to Chiirubusco ; this ing early the next morning to the beauti- 
brigade was composed of 2^000 men and fal position we left on the 19th, we did 
generally called Polkas. On Wednes- not start till after o'clock, merely, as it 
day the Yankees presented themselves were, to see the destruction of Valencia, 
at the hacienda of Coapa, about a fourth and we had not arrived at the position of 
of a league from San Antonio. There the previous day when we met two flying 
must have been seven or eight hursdred soldiers, at about 7 o'clock, who brought 
mert, and we fired several shots at them the fatal news of the complete rout of 
with our 24-pound piece, and some shells, Valencia, Then Don Antonio (Santa 
with a good result. In the mean time I Anna) gave orders for our return to 
took a nap at genera! headquarters, Mexico, as it was to be made another 
iabout half a league this side of San Anto- Troy, Rangel's brigade was ordered to 
nio, where Bravo commanded. Day be- take possession of the citadel, and Santa 
fore yesterday, (Thursday,) we continued anna gave Perez and Bravo orders to 
firing cannon on ihe enemy, and at about retire from San Antonio ; as San Angel 
1 o'clock we observed that Valencia, who being taken we v/ere cut off by the ene- 
was posted at Magdalena to impede the my, and you can imagine the confusion 
enemy that way, commenced firing can- and the destruction of the morale of our 
non. The fire was heavy, when an Aid Army which ensued. In moving our 
of Valencia's arrived saying that he was artillery and ammunition we were put to 
being surrounded, and we sent an aid to much inconvenience and delay, for, as it 
Perez and another to Mexico to Lorn- had rained the night previous, the wheels 
bardini (Minister of War) in order that stuck in the mud, and the mulesjfatigued, 
be might tell Rarigel to march with his could not haul them. The result was 
2,000 men, together with Perez's brigade that when the Yankees observed our 
to the support of Valencia. At about movement, and saw us withdraw our 
half past 3 o'clock in the afternoon we pieces from the embrazures at San Anto- 
found ourselves in front of the enemy, nio, he detached two columns, one by 
who were taking a position on the left thePedregal (rough volcanic ground) and 
flank of Valencia, who, the enemy, on the other down the main road, and con- 
seeing 5,000 men who came to reinforce seqiiently took San Antonio, and most of 
Valencia, commenced covering them- Alvarez's troops, brought from the South, 
selves in the bushes and behind the were made prisoners. Whilst this was 
church of San Geronimo. However, the going on at San Antonio, the same troops 
enemy's forces in front of Valencia con- which had routed Valencia, were detach- 
tinued to fire upon hlm^ and he, Valen- ed in two columns, one of which attacked 
cia, returned their fire with 21 pieces of Churubusco, where, after a small resis- 
cannon. A little before dusk we received tance, the companies of Independence 
three light pieces we had sent fijr, and and Bravo were taken prisoners, as also 
we fired six times with good result. I other companies that were cut off* in their 
had proposed not to ask where we were retreat. The other column came down 
going, and what was my astonishment the main road and attacked the bridge by 
when, at night, we were ordered to retire the same name, 
to San Angel, two and a half leagues 

distant from Valencia's camp. We there [Note,— The American forco was sent forward in 

met Rangel's division, and ours, together threecolumns and attacked the enen^y^sworl^ in the 

. . , . ° ^ 1 * io ikPifx f^ont and on both flanks. The second work is callect 

With hisjamounted to 12,000 men. ^^^ rj.^^^ ^, ^^^^j 



31 

where oar ovvn wagons (returning from Luis Poloai) could not be ovtrconie, 
San Antonio and fast in the mud) served much less would it; retreat before the 
them as trenches; and after an attack of enemy. From all I hsive said you will 
infantry alone they took our position judge the future destiny of our unhappy 
which appeared impregnable, country. JUAN. 

^ [The writer is in the main accurate but the MexICO, AugOSt 21st, 1847. 

Yankees had two light batteries in this or iliese j a 

attacks] My Dear ^.:, ^ 

^ * * As I wrote to you, you will 
putting us shamefully to ilight, and had ^^^ ^1^^^ ^^ Wednesday I went to the 
the enemy been any other they would ^^1^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^j^^^ g^^^,^^^^ ^1^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ 
have gone directly mto Mexico, (or our ^^^ Chorubusco, and on Thursday we 
cursed soldiers, frightened to death, were ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ Hacienda St. Antonio. Yes- 
bellowing through the streets, '' here ^^^ ^.^^ ^^^^^ ordered out at 4 o'clock 
comes the Yankees/' Finally, Santa Anna j^ ^i^^ morning, and remained formed in 
resolved to defend the city at the first ^j^^ jj^^-g^^^-^.l^-^l^ ^^.^g f^ll ^ 
line, and if our soldiers would not run, ^j^^ ^^^^^-^^^^ j.^l^^ ^j^^-^^g y^^ night, till 
We had a sufficient number left to defend ^^^^^^^ n o'clock, when we marched, ex- 
this unfortunate city. t . pecting to attack the enemy, for we were 

But now they speak of a capitulation^ ^^i^i ^^^ ^^^^ surrounded, but by a mira- 
or I know not what. The result is that ^i^ ^f q^^^ j^^Yiu saved the whole battal> 
the Yankees can march directly mto j^^^^ ^^^.^ had we left five minutes later 
Mexico at any hour they please, owing ^^^ j^^treat would have been cut off, as 
to the cowaraice and^--—-— -of^ our happened to other corps following in our 
generals-in-chief. Bassadra, Mora Villa- j,^^j, q^^ battalion, [that of Victoria ?] 
mil and Aranjois started at day-break ^,^,,1 ^^^^ ^f Hl^l^.!,^^ ,,,^,^^ 
this morning With orders from Facheco ^^ ^,,|^-^|^ ^^^ accident happened, although 
to ask Scott for 30 hours armistice, m g^^^^ g^^^g ^..g^,^ 1^^,^,! ^^ ^,; 
order to bury the dead and collect the ^|| -g i^g^^ The enemy is in Ghuru- 
wounded, tianta Anna became very ^^^^^^ ^^^ g^^, Antonio. At a little afte^j; 
angry and said, this cursed Pacheco had ^ reached Me:5ico,very much fatigued 
made a fool of himself and compromised ^^ ,^.^ ^^^^,,^ j^ haste. They sent us to 
me-which remark, haying come to the ^^^ -^^ ^^ ^h^ ^^.^-.^ EerSdo, where 
earsofPacheco, he resigned. Some say ^^^ occupied the breastwork until 5 
it was a pre-concerted affair. I will now ,^j^^j about which lime there was 
give you, my old man,^my opinion of all ^^-^^^ ^ respectable number of the dis- 
this: Valencia wished to be the hero ,^^^ ^^l^-^.^^ ^^|,^ ^^^^^ ^^ 
but had not the elements to make himself ^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^-^^^ marched 
so ; Santa Anna wished to destroy hmi, ^^ ^^^ barracks, and thence dismissed to 
and, by not sending him reinforcements ^^^^ ^^^ and from that time till now, 

day before yesterday, he has lost the na- -^^j^ ,^ 5 p, ^^ ,,,^ know nothing of 
tion. Keep this to yourself. Valencia ^^^h^^^j^^^ h^^^^^ rj. e., of the negc' 
received positive orders not to engage m .-.• T ' ° 

light, but, notwithstanding those orders, ' " 

and the order to spike his artillery and *» . ^i ^ io<^ 

retire if necessary, he remained, and re- Mbxico, August 21st, 184/. 

plied that he considered himself strong ^/-^^^^' * * *: 

enough to beat the enemy ; and that his It is now 4 o'clock in the afternoon, 
army from the north, (it was from San apd an armistice has been concluded be- 



32 

tvveen the government and the enemy for of the inaccessible place the PedregaL 

foi'tj-eight hours, and I will avail myself [This is underscored in the original— it 

of the diligence in that time to join you. refers to broken volcanic grounds.] He 

Twenty-five others have applied for seats, was entirely surrounded and on all sides, 

but the diligence is full. I was very they fought like lions. Santa Anna 

anxious to get a seat as * * *\ coolly observed this, and did not send to 

It is not true that Bravo is either dead our general any assistance, fearing the 

or a prisoner, as I have, to-day, seen him laurels which,against his orders, Valencia 

in the city, * * '^. was gathering; but Valencia was over- 

Our dead have bee?) but few, but we powered and succumbed, yet like a brave' 

have been most shamefuliy routed. I sup- man. At about 7 o'clock this morning, 

pose you have heard maay alarming sto- afterwards, we were defeated at San 

ries, but calm yourself, as there is no fur- Antonio and Churubusco. From these 

ther danger, but we have been lost by points the regiments of Hidalgo and 

means of a handful of adventurers of the Victoria were ordered to retire. That 

worst kind. * * * of Independence, which was isolated, was 

The battalion of Victoria has not cut off by the enemy — some of its brave 

fought. They say they will fight, but men were killed, as happened to that 

will only obey the orders of their Colonel^ valuable young man M. De Castro, and 

ajj their generals ran av/ay. others were made prisoners. In the midst 

'''*'^''^-* — of the universal desperation which reigns 

;-tx>l Mexico, Aug. 20th, 1847. in the capital, because our numerous 

All'is lost, all. Hy presentiments never army has been beaten in detail by a 

have deceived me — and wheni hav^ been handful of foreigners, (although brave,) 

deceived it is wheD J have reasoned mi\\ as there have been corps of ours which 

those who reason^ and last night it was did not fight, owing to the wantof dispo- 

teasonahlcio QO^A^e^ and I endeavored sition by the general-in-chief, who has 

to confide^ to believe and to persuade made us suffer the torments of hell, we 

myself, although the instinct of presenti- have seen Santa Anna at dusk, enter the 

rnent would arise and say- ^^just palace, and a multitude of cavalry and 

what has occurred. You will already intantry, without suspecting until the 
have heard^of it when you receive this,l3ut present moment what it signified; some 
perhaps you would wish me to repeat it, believing that it was oiving to the rain 
although at this moment a sort of deiiri- and in order to spend a pleasant night 
um has taken possession of my faculties, Hke that of yesterday, others thinking 
and in iruth, I do not know what to say that a capitulation had been agreed upon; 
to you- blit what I can, 1 will say, be it but the greater part not knowing what 
what it' may. Yesterday morning Santa opinion to form. I siiall put this letter 
Anna ordered Valencici not to fight, into the mail &.G., and will write again. 
Valenciii ansv/ered that he would fight, * * * * ^ * 

as his own and the honor of the nation Everything is complete confusion and 

rci^uired it and he did fight with exem-some time must pass before I can judge 

plary courage unii; 7 o'clock in the of events. # # * 

evening, at which time ihe firing ceased, I do not know what I have written, 
when Santa Anna, because It rained, de- I am cruhhed by the horrible realization 
termined to take his troops to S^^n Angel, of my presentiments, which have never 
leavinfT Valencia at his advanced post.— deceived me, and owing to which I have 
At daylight this morning Valencia was never been able to have any enthusiasm 
outfianked by the enemy, in the direction or faith in this war— and for which rea- 



33 

son I have not been able to persuade my- Augustin Tlalpam, but the most difficult 
self to take a part in the war, though I to pass was the stony ground, there 
have ardently desired it. being no wagon road through it, and it 

I had forgotten to say that Santa Anna was declared to be impassable. But, each 
has given orders for Valencia to be shot, man of eight or ten thousand Americans, 
when he has the sympathies of all in his who had to pass that way, took a bag of 
favor, and Santa Anna bears all the odium dirt on his shoulders, so that on the way, 
which was not equalled by that of the with eight or ten thousand bags of dirt, 
6th of December. This is sufficient.— they went on making the road, so that 
Remember me to, &.C. &^c. they all passed, without detention, to 

Your friend, (anonymous.) Tlalpam to take Tucabaya, by the way of 

[N«T«.-The same writer writes the next day, the 21st, the hills of San Angcl. The Mcxican 
and porrects the report in regard to^De Castro, and adds:] forCeS that WCrC in the Pefion CamC and 

The Battalions of Hidalgo and Victo- f^^tified themselves in San Antonio and 
ria would have fought had they not been^h«^«b«s^^'^^^^^ ^f^ A"?^^' ^^^'^ 
ordered to retire by Santa Anna, and in about seven or eight thousand veterans 
spite of the order many of them did fight of cavalry and infantry, with thirty pieces 
in the defences (works.) * * * of cannon, under Valencia, took post 

By this mail you are called to Con- W^i^d- ^^n Angel. Gen. Santa Anna 
gross, ordered to convene by Santa Anna, ^^^ '^ ^^^ P^^^^ below with the Natioiia! 
who has listened to the commissioners ^«^^<^' ^^ that, by this plan, we had the 
from the United States, on the subject of Americans in San Augustin, the Mexi- 
peace, in virtue of the constitutional ^ans forming their hues between them and 

povrers which he has. When Santa Anna ^^^ ^^^7- ^'^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ %bt- ^^ 

returned to the capital this afternoon at Thursday, the i9th, the Americans 

4 o'clock, he said that it was in virtue of marched with the intention to pass above 

an armistice of 30 hours, to gather his ^^" ^ngel. General Valencia marched 

wounded; but the truth is, he has already to encounter them, and sustained the 

made a peace i^ith Scott, for so the inter- ^^^lon from 4, P. M., till night closed in. 

preter said to a friend of mine, and your The firmg was severe^ it couid be clearly 

friend N. infers from the despatch of seen from the roof of the house. At 

Santa Anna to Congress. I nevertheless ^^E^^ ^he Americans marched up a ravine 

send you the letter I wrote yesterday. ^^ hollow that divided the two camps, 

Scott has very much praised the valor surrounded the Mexicans, and finished 

of the Mexicans, and he told A. that he ^^^^h them from 4 till 7, A. M., on the 

had the best intentions towards us.— ^^^h- There were some Americans in a 

Come, then, and assist in celebrating the ^^^^^^ hacienda beyond San Antonio, who 

funeral of our country. A revolution ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ evening before by 

may yet take place in favor of Valencia, Mexicans, but they remained very quiet, 

caused by the peace. The public mind^^^^"^^^*"^"g ^^^ shots, but when Valen- 

is. exceedingly excited, and for this rea- ^^^ ^^^^ defeated they attacked the points 

'son it, perhaps, would not be prudent for ^elow where Santa Anna commanded in 

you to bring your family. person, and in a few hours all was lost. 

^ "^ The troops yesterday dispersed, with 

Mexico, August 21st, 1847. the exception of the battalions of Inde- 

* t* * As soon as the Americans pendence and Bravo's, which were cut off 

had united the other side of the Penon, by the Americans. It is said that many 

they took the road by Chalco to San were killed, some escaped, and the rest 



34 

are prisoners. This is what has hap- Mora and others have gone as conferees, 
pened up to yesterday. To-day, what One thing is certain* that our troops have 
iroops remain have gone to the gates of retired to their quarters, and that the hnes 
San Antonio Abad and Nino Perdido, have been deserted. From this state of 
and according to the general opinion we things the capital is in a terrible state, 
shall all, in a few days, be Yankees. It is said that Gen. Paredes is here, and 

IGN. N. that he and Gen. Valencia are searched 
— for by Gen. Santa Anna, who has ordered 

Another Letter, (Extract) Valencia to be shot. In fact, you can- 

August 20th. not imagine in what a lamentable condi- 
To-day, at 7, A. M., the Americans tion we are. I have no time to be more 
took all of our artillery, and our army was particular, and I beg you will have the 
so routed that they were entirely dis- goodness to present my compHments to 
persed. The fate of Gen. Valencia is Donna G. and Donna C, and the rest of 
unknown. Santa Anna has been com- the family, as also to my friends S.,E. and 
pelled to retire upon Mexico, having lost C., and you, my beloved commander, can 
all, including his honor. The Yankees dispose of the affections of your subject 
have made many prisoners and taken and faithful servant, who, wishing you all 
jx^any cannon. B— Z. happiness, kisses your hand. ; t 

tw, - J. MtjS. 

^ ^ Mexico, August 21st, 1847. ^ ■__ esd o.:; 

ConCg General Don Jose de Ugarie: [This letter is from a Minister of the Government to a 

My n^ver forgotten Sir and Commander :— millionare,] 
On the 19th and 20th the division of Mexico, August 21st, 1847. 

Valencia tougnt and was defeated, as was Sen, Don G. M, and T. : j = v : : ; 
also some other troops from this place. My Dear Friend: — In my last I gave 
These events have placed things in a ter- you an idea of the state and position of 
rible state. I cannot say with certainty our army. Yesterday, at daylight,, our 
to what are we to attribute these misfor- right [refering to Valencia] was com- 
tunes, as there is a great diversity of pletely surrounded and routed, and after- 
opinion on the subject. One thing is cer- wards the positions on the left [Churubus- 
tain, that from tnese reverses our affairs co, Portaiis,&c.,] were attacked, to which 
are in a most lamentable state, and it will succeeded a disordelry retreat of our 
be very difficult to re-establish them and troops, which led the victorious enemy 
bring them to the condition in which they to within one league of the city, where 
were on the 19th. The enemy has lost a he paused,not to be wanting in a prudence 
great number of men, but our's have lost becoming a wise general, although he 
courage. There are many chiefs, offi- might have enterad to the very Palace 
cers and men in the power of the enemy, itself. You may imagine the coristerna- 
and many wounded. Until the present tion and disorder prevailing in the capital 
time, now 1, P. M., the firing has not been at this time. To-day Don Ig. Moro left 
recommenced. The enemy is in many the city with the object of proposing a 
positions of the second line, and our cessation of hostihties under the pretext 
army has retreated to the first line. It is of collecting the wounded and an ex- 
very difficult to form a judgment of there- change of prisoners, although we have 
suit of these misfortunes, the more so as so but very few of the latter. When he 
many of our officers are so badly spoken arrived at the camp of the enemy he was 
of. The enemy has demanded the sur- handed a letter which the AmericiBn gen- 
render of the capital. It is said that Gen. eral had already prepared, proposing an 



35 

armistice with a view to enter upon eternal shame for us. As 1 said to you 
negotiations for peace, which naturally when I closed ray letter this morning, the 
was accepted, and to-morrow it will be firing between 6 and 7 was horrible. At 
arranged by Moro and (iuijano, who are the last mentioned hour it entirely ceased, 
the commissioners. But the enemy de- which caused me to believe that all was 
dared his purpose of occupying the towns decided. I was listening until 8, and ob- 
in the immediate vicinity of the capital, serving that there was no ringing of bells 
in order to obtain quarters and subsis- X began to fear that the result was unfa- 
tence for his troops. This is the position vorable to us. I went into the street and 
of affairs ta-day. What is to follow you immediately pereeived signs of sorrow and 
can imagine, for we have no alternative down-heartedness in the countenances of 
but to enter into arrangements or leave all. I walked towards the palace, and 
the capital Set . the mercy of the con- observed the same: besides, several of- 
querors.ljo^I } h;? ficers who arrived, said they kew nothing 

Present my compliments to the Senores — but their manner shew very plainly our 
C's, and trusting that you and your family misfortune. 

enjoy the best health, please to receive The scene ofCerro Gordo has been 
the affections of your attentive servant repeated exactly, and that, too, when the 
ain.d,fri^n4»>wbo kisses your hand. tactics of the enemy of commencing an 

Mff; htifji^^ ?: I. R. action in the evening to strike a finishing 

~ blow the next morning, was well known. 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. Xhis time Valencia remained in his posi- 

■ ^\ J)on J,M, C, — 3Iy Dear Teacher: tions and Santa Anna abandoned him, re- 
Atlast,yesterday, we were entirely routed tiring to San Angel, and Valencia found 
after three battles, Contreras, San Anto- himself attacked by double his numbers, 
nio and Churubusco, and our troops were 4 o'clock, P. M. — A little after 12 firing 
dispersed after a horrible slaughter, and was heard in San Antonio, and lasted 
the enemy arrived in triumph as far as about an hour and a half, and after a short 
the hacienda of the Portalis, w^here they pause, it w^as heard much nearer, which 
passed the night. The spectacle in this by all signs appears to be in Churubusco. 
city yesterday was horrible ; ail was tears, Aboiit 2 o'clock I directed my steps to- 
confusionand bitterness, and it was pitia- wards San Antonio, Abad, (the Garita,) 
hie to see the wounded and dispersed where there was seen a numerous crowd, 
coming in, in the afternoon. It is said The sight which presented itself at this 
that Bravo, Perdigan, Zerecero, Perefc, place and in all the streets of the Raspro 
Gagoso and others, have been killed. At was horrible : all was full of dispersed 
the present moment, 10 o'clock, there soldiers, carts, shrieking women and 
are some troops going out, and,according devils. The battaUons of Hidalgo and 
to appearances. Gen. Santa Anna is re- Victoria, with four pieces, were in the 
solved to attack the enemy, with the pjazuela of San Lucas when I arrived. — 
miserable remains of the army, and ai- Some of those with whom I spoke said 
though there are rumors of treaties, I that Santa Anna had betrayed them, that 
think there is no foundation for them. I at San Antonio when it was least expected 
d© not give you any particulars, &/C. they were ordered to retreat, and that, 

J. N. M. except four pieces brought away, they 

— had spiked their guns, that Santa Anna 

[A letter in the form of notes of events.) j^^^j remained at Churubusco with the di- 

..v,;j Mexico, Aug. 20,1847. vision of Perez and the battalions of In- 

1 o'clock, P M. Judas! all is lost— dependence and Bravo. 



36 

When I returned, about 3 P. M., and little time we shall learn how many lives 
was talking with some acquaintances at have been sacrificed by treason or igno- 
the corner of Jesus and San Manuel ranee. Ixib .1 

streets, we heard some shots which we 7 o'clock. At this moment 'Various bodies 
were sure were fired at the gate of Can- of troops are entering, who cannot bedis- 
delaria^ as a matter of course all the tinguished for want of light. It appears 
world immediately ran, and I came home, that they are all concentrating in the city. 
The tumult was of short duration, and at it is said there are yet 15,000. But for 
this hour all is quiet as on former days; what will they serve? Their spirits are 
no firing being heard in any direction, broken, and there is a universal want of 
It is said, that the last cannon shots confidence; and in this state of things, 
were in the Candelaria, [at the garita of even if there were 200,000 it would be a11 
San Antonio,] and were directed against the same. The seal has been set to our 
a party of the enemy's cavalry, who re- ignominy. The Nationals (Polkas) are 
tired in consequence. This occurrence, leaving the ranks and returning to their 
and the cessation, of firing indicates the homes. 

loss of San Antonio, Churubusco, and Saturday, Aug. 21, 6 o'clock A. M. A 
Mexicalcingo, and that probably Santa short time since Santa Anna was seen 
Anna is a prisoner or has made a capitula- marching for the gate of Candelaria with 
tion. According to some, the nationals some 3000 infantry, all full of mud and 
are situated in the Nino Perdido, accor- bare footed, and some 800 cavalry have 
ding to others, in the gate of Belin It marched, for the gate of San Lazaro 
is said that the brigade of Rangel has re- which seems to indicate that we shall 
turned to the city — the brigade of Her- shortly have an action. >'d^v^,v;>i>! h 

rera, that was at the Penon, I saw enter I have been able to learft "tt^dthitig 
about half past 11, and take the route to- about the enemy or his movements during 
Avards the public walls. It is probable the night. Nothing is known of General 
they are destined for Chapuliepec or Bravo or his division. It is said that 
Tacubaya. those of Independence and Bravo fought 

All, in my opinion, is entirely useless, yesterday very well, but that in the end 
because with or without reason Santa they were taken prisoners^ together with 
Anna is generally accused of treason! — Gorostiza. >jjiu i r 

What then can be hoped for ? 2, P. M. The troops that marched 

I only know of the death of Pedrigan ; this morning took up their positions at 
a soldier said he had seen him with tw© the gates. Nothing has yet occurred 
shots, one in the loins and one in the whatever — the public talk is past bearing 
ribs. A great many wounded have come — nothing is known with certainty, 
in, and 40 went to San Andres, accor- What seems most certain is that a com- 
ding to the account of the surgeon, who mission, consisting of Mora Villamil, Ar- 
lives there. ranooiz and Mc'Intosh have gone to 

[ am going out to investigate what Scott. No one doubts now that peacd 
happens! what mortal anguish! will be made. The troops are all broken- 

o'clock. Returned from the palace; spirited and yesterday they were so fright- 
a great many declare that the complete ened, cowed, that from Churubusco the 
rout of Valencia in the hills of Contreras, division of Perez, including himself, went 
was owing to his being completely aban- as far as the Penon. If 1 had not receiv- 
doned. Amonst the dead are named Don ed this from persons of veracity I could 
Sebastian Blanco and Froiitera. In a not have believed it, but this explains 



^ 



37 

VVhv they were so covered with mud this written by on. who pa.took of the general alarm, and is 

^ . '■' only valuable as a general testimony to the state of feeling 

inorilirij-,. • i c:< * ^" Mexico, during the progress of events.) 

It is said openly every wher^thatfeanta ==. 

Anna has committed treason — that the ?vIexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

division of Valencia ahd especially his I take pen in hand with sorrow to 
infantry fought well with the main body communicate to you the sad news that, 
of the Yankees, and that if Santa Anna without knowing how, we have in a few 
had assisted them they would have tri- hours lost all. 

umphed; but that instead of so doing he A groat deal of time would be needful 
retired from the field, and looked in cold to give you even a slight sketch of what 
blood upon the destruction of the flower has occurred since our starting on the 
of the army! But why should I tire my- 9th, until our enirance into the capital 
self in repeating this to you? You know yesterday evening, tired and low-spirited, 
it better than I do as 1 am told Valencia after a fatigue since 4 o'clock A. M., but 
has gone with Olaguibel. luckily we find ourselves with life, giving 

It is not true that Pedrigan is killed, thanks to Providence that has saved us 
Gen'l Bravo is in Mexico, Gen'l. Rincon from the imminent peril in which we 
and Anaya are said to be prisoners. were placed at 11 o'clock yesterday, when 

5, P. M. At 4 o'clock all the troops re- we were on the point of perishing with 
turned to their barracks and at once I the Batt'ns of Hidalgo and Victoria, 
inferred that negotiations were on foot. Whilst this happened, our companions of 
I went out to inquire and Don J. N. told Independence and Bravo have been 
me, referring to Arrangoiz, that there was nearly exterminated, and the Brigade of 
an armistice concluded but for what time Gen'l Perez has disappeared with the 
was not known. We made inquiries: artillery that guarded the bridge of Chu- 
some said for 24 and others 48 hours. rubusco, and there was lost here what we 

A strange circumstance relating to this had saved from San Antonio, 
is that the armistice was asked for by I have been in peril, and 12 days well 
both parties at one and the same time. I worked, but I count them as well em- 
was likewise told by Noriego that the ployed, having witnessed the military 
President had addressed Congress stating knowledge of this unfortunate country, 
that a meeting was indispensable by 12 It has caused us the necessity of opening 
o'clock, but that only 26 deputies met our gates to the enemy, and I cannot per- 
From all these dates you will form ceive the least grounds for the expecta- 
your own opinion. For my part 1 be- tion of a triumph hereafter, 
lieve it will end in a most shameful man- My blood boils when I recollect the un- 
ner for us. fortunate disasters of yesterday; and 

The Yankees occupy the hacienda of when I am more composed 1 w^iU refer 
ortahs, Churubusco and Coyoacan, and again to the subject, or I will see you 

his gives me some concern for my house, personally if the diligence leaves to-mor- 

mt according to what I have been able row or Monday. 

o hear, they do no injury. F. L. We do not certainly know to what ex- 

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